Sericin-based ‘green’ and sustainable biomaterial for waste-water purification as a bioremediation strategy

Silk protein sericin is a natural polymer extracted from the silkworm Bombyx mori, known for its eco-friendliness and biocompatibility. Silkworm cocoons, mainly composed of silk fibroin, possess excellent adsorption capabilities. The porous and fibrous nature of the cocoon provides a large surface area, offering a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to synthetic adsorbents and water treatment due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Sericin-based fibers, membranes can efficiently adsorb dyes and are easily separated from solutions, enabling recyclability and reuse without significantly compromising their removal efficiency. Nanomaterials incorporating sericin further enhance adsorption due to their nanoscale size, providing a greater surface area for interaction. They have also garnered attention for their potential in water treatment, particularly in degrading organic contaminants through mechanisms similar to enzymatic reactions. Additionally, the nanomaterial structure increases the surface area for interaction with pollutants, further improving their efficiency. This chapter depicts the opportunities with the exploitation of the catalytic behavior of sericin and explains how sericin nanomaterials can open new avenues for their integration into water treatment membranes. This emerging field encourages more investigation into the synergy between sericin nanomaterials and membranes, with potential applications ranging from industrial wastewater treatment to advanced filtration systems.