Thermal behavior of sericin samples was examined
by TGA. The weight loss trace indicates that the initial
weight loss occurred because of the evaporation of
water. Thereafter, an abrupt decrease in weight is
detected in the wide temperature range from 220°C
upward for both the samples. Similar weight loss
pattern has been reported for sericin by Tsukada36. It is
clear from the weight loss pattern in the thermograms
that sericin extracted from the fabric exhibits higher
weight loss as compared to the standard sericin, thus
indicating that the sericin prepared from fabric is
relatively unstable to temperature. Higher residue is
obtained in standard sericin powder (9%) as compared
to the sericin powder recovered from fabric (5%).
These results are in a good agreement with per cent ash
content as reported above.