Evaluation of sericin from silk removed/obtained in textile sector

The development of science and technology has significantly improved the living standards of people and strengthened their awareness of quality, comfort, health and environmental protection on textile products. These microorganisms, which can be found almost everywhere in the environment, can rapidly multiply when they find the environment where they can meet their basic requirements such as moisture, nutrients and temperature. Textile products are suitable for moisture, temperature and nutrients for the survival and growth of microorganisms. Growth and proliferation of microorganisms on textile materials, unpleasant odor, stain and color change in fabric and decrease in mechanical strength of the fabric are undesirable effects. In this study, sericin, an environmentally friendly natural protein, was used as an alternative to toxic chemicals in response to the increasing demand for antimicrobial products. The benefits of sericin, which has been removed from the silk and which have no toxic effect on human and environment, are also among the advantages. It is aimed to give antibacterial properties by applying this material to cotton fabrics. In this study, sericin/silver nanoparticle, sericin/titanium dioxide nanoparticle, commercial sericin, recovered sericin and silk-extracted sericin materials were applied to cotton fabrics and the antibacterial activities of the fabrics were investigated. The results were compared with antibacterial tests in terms of whiteness index, tear strength, bending stiffness, uv absorbancy, breaking strength and maximum elongation values with raw cotton. When the antibacterial results are considered, it is seen that all fabrics have antibacterial activity in the tests performed after finishing. This effect was reduced after 10 and 20 household washes. As a result of FTIR analysis, it was concluded that sericin material was applied to fabrics successfully. In the UV protection tests, it was seen that the application of sericin increases the UV protection factor of the fabrics. The strength tests show that there is no negative effect on the mechanical and performance properties of the finished fabrics.