Question 16 (Textile Engineering & Fibre Science)
The gum in the raw silk filament is
| (A) | Wax |
| (B) | Lignin |
| (C) | Sericin |
| (D) | Fibroin |
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Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs
What is the gum in the raw silk filament?
The gum, also known as sericin, is a natural substance that covers the raw silk filament produced by the silkworm. Sericin is a protein-based gum that acts as a protective layer for the silk during the cocooning stage of the silkworm’s life cycle.
After the silk is harvested, the gum needs to be removed before the silk can be processed into fabric or other products. This process is called degumming, and it involves soaking the silk in a solution that dissolves the sericin without damaging the silk fibers. Once the gum is removed, the silk becomes soft, lustrous, and ready for weaving or other applications.