Microstructural and Functional Characterisation of Indian Silk Varieties: A Review on Their Industrial and Biomedical Potential
Janhiphula Kanhar
Kalinga institute of Social Sciences –Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar-751024, India.
Priyoneel Basu
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh-470003, India.
Sweta Arora *
Kalinga institute of Social Sciences –Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar-751024, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Silk is one of the most prized natural fibres due to its exceptional tensile strength, elasticity, and thermal insulation, which go beyond its aesthetic appeal. India is the world's second-largest producer of silk. This review looks at the various kinds of Indian silk, focusing on their microstructural characteristics and industrial potential. India, a major producer of silk, offers a wide variety of silk, including mulberry (bivoltine and crossbreed) and non-mulberry (tasar, muga, and eri) varieties. The study explores important microstructural characteristics that show the biochemical and mechanical distinctions between mulberry and non-mulberry silks, including filament length, degumming loss, denier, cross-sectional structure, and moisture regain. The different amino acid compositions of non-mulberry silks are responsible for their higher moisture regain, inherent viscosity, and distinctive structural characteristics such as microvoids. Additionally, the review places the historical and evolutionary development of silk in India in context, highlighting the conservation issues with non-mulberry silks. Examining the mechanical characteristics and biochemical taxonomy of silk fibres, this study highlights the value of Indian silk in both conventional textile applications and new industrial fields like advanced materials and biomedical engineering.
Keywords: Mulberry silk, non-mulberry silks, microstructural characteristics, diversity, biochemical properties, microvoids