Comparative Structural Characterization of Naturally- and Synthetically-Spun Fibers of Bombyx mori Fibroin

摘要: This investigation describes the comparative structural characterization of naturally- and synthetically-spun fibers Bombyx mori fibroin. Wet spinning from 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) solutions was used to spin fibroin with varying degrees postspinning draw. Quantitative Raman spectroscopy showed that secondary structure changed dramatically predominantly α-helical in HFIP solution principally β-sheet undrawn fiber. X-ray fiber diffraction were highly crystalline (>50%) little or no preferential alignment. The addition a draw caused polypeptide backbone crystals, which formed largely by methanol coagulation bath, align axis. molecular structures most similar those naturally-spun reproduced minimum ratio 2.5.