Silk secreted from silk glands of the silkworm Bombyx mori is a natural protein that is mainly made of 25-30% sericin and 70-75% fibroin proteins. Silk filaments, Fibroin, are extruded in pairs and are cemented together with silk gum, Sericin.
Silk protein can be widely used in cosmetics, health food, textiles and medical materials. as it provides normal 18 amino acids. Amino acids are fundamental to the human body and construction proteins. They are known to moisturize by enhancing the skin’s water retention.
Sericin is a large protein with a different molecular weight from 10 to 300 kilodalton, including 18 amino acids, similar to proteins in human body. Sericin has a high portion of 2 amino acids, Serine and Aspartic Acid.
1.
Human skin also has serine which is the important composition of sericin. Due to skin’s water retention property, they can maintain the balance of moisture in human skin.
2.
Amino acids that have ring-like structure such as Tyrosine respond to protect from UV.
3.
Sericin protein has a unique structure that can easily bind to other proteins in human skin and hair, resulting in a tightening anti-wrinkle effect.
4.
Ability to become film that still lasts after washing. So they can protect skin from external pollution and provide gentleness to the skin touch.
5.
Restraining tyrosinase enzyme which is important for melanin synthesis, so they can decrease the melatonin under skin.
6.
Restraining activity of active oxygen species which causes skin wrinkles and worsens skin condition.