Comparison of Native and Regenerated Antheraea Pernyi Silk Fibroin

The regenerated Antheraea pernyi silk fibroin (RASF) was harvested by dissolving the silk fibers in a calcium nitrate solution. XRD result demonstrated that both native and regenerated Antheraea pernyi silk fibroin involved the α-helix conformation, and DTG curves showed that their thermal decompositions were quite similar and proceeded three steps. However, rheological measurements figured out that the molecule weight of RASF decreased from 246 kDa to 199 kDa, comparing with native Antheraea pernyi silk fibroin. Also, the tensile properties of the RASF film, which were the same to those of regenerated Bombyx mori silk fibroin film, were observed.