A Comparative Study on the Raw Cocoon Degumming of Soap and Protease

생견의 비누정연에 대한 비교연구

Silk thread as extruded by the silk worm consists of two filaments of fibroin cemented together by a gum known as sericin. Raw silk thread, in addition to fibroin and sericin, contain small amounts of mineral salts, wax and colouring matter. The sericin is soluble in water and is readily removed in hot soap solution. dilute alkalies, acid or enzimic agents. Degumming of raw silk material makes the fibroin soft and lustrous. This study was investigated on the most favorable conditions for degumming of domestic raw cocoon with soap and protease. The results of the study may be summarized as follows: 1. Soap degumming The rate of degumming loss was increased as temperature of the scouring bath is higher……especially at 60$^{\circ}$C. PH value is a very important factor in silk degumming process. But silk is decomposed in concentrated acid solution, so the optimum pH condition is within the range of pH 10~10.5. Soap boiling gives good handle and apperance to silk cocoon, however, must be carried out in more concentrated and higher temperature bath than the protease degumming. 2. Protease degumming Silk can be scoured at lower temperature for shorter time in diluter concentration by enzyme than soap, if scouring is carried out under exact conditions.