A method of producing a transgenic silkworm that spins bagworm silks and producing a large quantity of bagworm silks by transgenic technology is developed and provided. A gene encoding a modified bagworm Fib H and a transgenic silkworm in which the gene is introduced, wherein the gene is obtained by cloning a gene fragment encoding a bagworm Fib H-like polypeptide comprising a partial amino acid sequence of bagworm Fib H, and fusing the gene fragment to a gene fragment encoding silkworm-derived Fib H, are provided.

The present invention provides, inter alia, compositions including at least one pliable layer comprising a plurality of silk fibroin nanofibrils, and at least one rigid layer comprising a plurality of mineral crystals, wherein each rigid layer is associated with at least one pliable layer, as well as methods for the production and use thereof.

The present invention provides, inter alia, compositions including at least one pliable layer comprising a plurality of silk fibroin nanofibrils, and at least one rigid layer comprising a plurality of mineral crystals, wherein each rigid layer is associated with at least one pliable layer, as well as methods for the production and use thereof.

Provided is a method developed for producing a thread bundle with high efficiency in terms of spun thread collection and without causing mechanical damage to a foothold silk thread spun by a bagworm onto a base material. After a bagworm is placed along with a solvent-soluble base material and allowed to spin the foothold silk thread onto the surface of the base material, the base material is dissolved with a solvent to separate the foothold silk thread therefrom.

Provided is a method developed for producing a thread bundle with high efficiency in terms of spun thread collection and without causing mechanical damage to a foothold silk thread spun by a bagworm onto a base material. After a bagworm is placed along with a solvent-soluble base material and allowed to spin the foothold silk thread onto the surface of the base material, the base material is dissolved with a solvent to separate the foothold silk thread therefrom.

The invention provides a drying apparatus and a method for a raw silk degumming process. The drying apparatus includes a drying oven in which a silk strand cover and an air supply unit are disposed. An upper opening and a lower opening are respectively provided at the top and the bottom of the silk strand cover. A silk strand to be dried passes through the silk strand cover. A convex portion is disposed on a sidewall of the silk strand cover, which is protruded toward an outer side of the silk strand cover. The air supply unit is used for providing an air supply flow into the silk strand cover to dry the silk strand. A falling point of the air supply flow is located at the convex portion of the silk strand cover. By means of the apparatus, silkworm silk can be endowed with special elasticity and fluffiness performances.

The present disclosure provides, among other things, systems for processing silk. Provided systems purify silk fibroin solutions without inducing conformational changes in the silk proteins. Provided systems concentrate silk fibroin solutions. The present disclosure also provides methods of purifying and concentrating silk fibroin solutions. Provided systems and methods are useful for processing silk fibroin for any application.

Method for treatment of mulberry leaves for feeding silkworms in order to obtain a feedstuff for silkworms, doped with at least a metal selected among silver and/or zinc, comprising the steps of: a. preparing a solution comprising water, a photo-reducer agent and a precursor of said at least metal; b. treating said mulberry leaves with said solution; c. exposing said treated mulberry leaves to UV radiation, so that the photo-reduction of said precursor of said at least metal occurs, with the consequent deposition on said leaves of nanoparticles of said at least metal.

Method for treatment of mulberry leaves for feeding silkworms in order to obtain a feedstuff for silkworms, doped with at least a metal selected among silver and/or zinc, comprising the steps of: a. preparing a solution comprising water, a photo-reducer agent and a precursor of said at least metal; b. treating said mulberry leaves with said solution; c. exposing said treated mulberry leaves to UV radiation, so that the photo-reduction of said precursor of said at least metal occurs, with the consequent deposition on said leaves of nanoparticles of said at least metal.

The present disclosure provides improved long uniform recombinant protein fibers with desirable physical traits. The present disclosure also provides compositions derived from the long uniform recombinant protein fibers.