Silk sericin is a natural macromolecular protein derived from silkworm Bombyx mori. During the
various stages of producing raw silk and textile, sericin can be recovered for other uses. Also, sericin
recovery reduces the environmental impact of silk manufacture. Sericin protein is useful because of its
properties. The protein resists oxidation, is antibacterial, UV resistant, and absorbs and releases
moisture easily. Sericin protein can be cross-linked, copolymerized, and blended with other
macromolecular materials, especially artificial polymers, to produce materials with improved
properties. The protein is also used as an improving reagent or a coating material for natural and
artificial fibers, fabrics, and articles. The materials modified with sericin and sericin composites are
useful as degradable biomaterials, biomedical materials, polymers for forming articles, functional
membranes, fibers, and fabrics. D 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.