ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF SILK SERICIN FROM SILKWORM BOMBYX MORI

This study was conducted to investigate the free-radical-scavenging activity and antioxidant activity of silk sericin. Silk sericin was prepared from silkworm Bombyx mori and its ability to scavenge hydroxyl, superoxide and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals was determined by Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) and ultraviolet spectrophotometry, respectively. The antioxidant activities of the silk sericin, including lipid peroxidation in the linoleic acid system, reducing power and ferrous-ion-chelating ability, were evaluated. The results showed that silk sericin had a strong scavenging capacity for hydroxyl, superoxide and DPPH radicals. The results also showed that silk sericin had potent antioxidative activity on the peroxidation of linoleic acid. The reducing power and ferrous-ion-chelating ability of silk sericin were significant. These results indicated that silk sericin from silkworm B. mori was a natural antioxidant with potent antioxidative activity.