Abstract: A method is provided for extraction of fine silk fibroin powder from Bombyx mori silk cocoons. The conventional method of silk processing includes dissolution of the degummed silk fibers in some strong salt solutions followed by a dialysis step. The earlier reported strong salt solutions have either associated environment issues or lower dissolution ability for silk. However, the provided method includes degumming silk cocoons, drying and cutting the degummed silk fibers, mixing the fibers with an ionic liquid, stirring the mixture, regeneration of silk from the mixture with the help of an anti-solvent followed by centrifugation, drying the precipitated silk and finally obtaining a fine powder of silk.

Abstract: A method is provided for extraction of fine silk fibroin powder from Bombyx mori silk cocoons. The conventional method of silk processing includes dissolution of the degummed silk fibers in some strong salt solutions followed by a dialysis step. The earlier reported strong salt solutions have either associated environment issues or lower dissolution ability for silk. However, the provided method includes degumming silk cocoons, drying and cutting the degummed silk fibers, mixing the fibers with an ionic liquid, stirring the mixture, regeneration of silk from the mixture with the help of an anti-solvent followed by centrifugation, drying the precipitated silk and finally obtaining a fine powder of silk.