QUANTITATIVE STRUCTURAL-ANALYSIS AND PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF SILK FIBROIN HYDROGELS

The effect of dehydration on the molecular structures and physical pro perties of fibroin gels was investigated. The physical properties that are discussed include strength, water content and thermal stability. It was found that the molecular structure of fibroin was not changed b y the change in water content of the gel, while the physical propertie s of the gel, however, were changed significantly. A quantitative anal ysis of the molecular structures was carried out by separating the com ponents of the i.r. spectra. The spectral parameters of the amide I, I I, and III absorption bands, corresponding to the silk I, beta, and ra ndom coil conformations, respectively, have been derived. In addition, the fibroin gels were characterized by their water contents, strength and thermal stability.