Abstract
Poly-O-benzyl-L-serine (PBLS) was synthesized as a model compound related to silk sericin and the molecular structure was investigated by infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Close similarity was observed between PBLS and silk sericin in crystalline structure, molecular conformation and thermal property. Infrared spectra indicated that as-polymerized PBLS exhibited anti-parallel beta structure, which mainly observed with random coil structure in silk sericin. PBLS prepared by casting with dichloroacetic acid solution at 50°C, was fibrous crystal with beta structure. Amount of anti-parallel beta structure of silk sericin surrounding the silk brins was considered to increase by the drawing and spinning motion of silkworm. The results of PBLS supported the bundle-type model in order to describe the molecular structure of silk sericin.
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