Biotechnology and Nanotechnology are considered as weapons that can devise constructive solutions to address global issues. The unit production cost of Indian silk is higher as compared to China. Thus, the need of the hour is to devise innovative applications of silk and silk proteins, value addition, byproduct utilisation and diversification thus minimalizing the wastes generated. This will curtail the production costs and make Indian silk cheaper for the consumers to buy in domestic and overseas markets. The unique application of biotechnology in sericulture encompasses the use of transgenic silkworms to generate fine-quality cocoons, bioengineering silk as a bioactive material owing to its strength, biocompatibility, elasticity, robustness, biodegradability, etc. Thus, silk proteins turn out to be an effective biomaterial with multifarious applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Micrococoons, inspired by silkworm cocoons can serve as a potent vector for the delivery of useful drugs, proteins, vaccines, genes, and micromolecules. This finds application in the treatment of osteomyelitis and dermal disorders. Owing to its excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, silk sericin and fibroin have multiple bio-medical applications in cartilage and bone regeneration and tissue engineering. Nanotechnology in sericulture helps to build structures that are crucial for water purification, drug delivery, devising sensors, and optics and photonics. Therefore, the present review highlights the recent advances in comprehensive utilization and diversification of biotechnological and nanotechnological knowledge to devise products of commercial use broadening the sustainability of the sericulture industry.

Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Micrococoons, Nanotechnology, Sericulture

Silk is a widely used biomaterial owing to its high biocompatibility, biodegradability leading to formation of harmless by-products, excellent mechanical, and tensile properties, low or no immunogenic or inflammatory response, no negative side effects, etc. All these attributes make silk and its proteins a suitable choice for various bio-medical applications such as tissue engineering, bone regeneration, and macromolecule delivery to the target site. Apart from the above-cited advantages, efficiently extracting silk from wastewater effluents curtails the pollution load from the sericultural sector. Sericin and fibroin as mentioned throughout the review have many potential biomedical applications that can be further explored. Silk micrococoons serve as effective vehicles of delivery for genes, proteins, small molecules, drugs, and vaccines. Silk as a bio-active compound also diminishes the instance of various neurodegenerative and ocular disorders. Current research concerning the utility and applicability of silk and secondary products of sericultural industries sheds light on the versatility of silk as a biomaterial. Further research on the utility of silk-based nanostructures in varied sectors can yield economic products of commercial importance and serve as milestone achievements in life science.

Sangeeta Dash, Mohd Anas, Reddi Gowrisankar and Surekha Dasari (2023). Bio-Nanotechnological Advances in Sericulture: Applicability of Micrococoons and Silk Proteins. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8): 219-226.