JP2003165843A - Method for extracting sericin, the extract solution and method for modifying fiber or fabric - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extract sericin from cocoon filaments at ordinary temperature without carrying out a physical treatment such as heating or a chemical treatment such as hydrolysis. <P>SOLUTION: This method for extracting the sericin immerses cocoon filaments in strong electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing water, while dissolving a crystalline clay mineral in the water, thus extracting the sericin at the ordinary temperature. The obtained sericin extract solution contains the sericin having a high molecular weight in an approximately natural state, and can be used for modifying fibers or fabrics. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for extracting sericin, an extract thereof, and a method for modifying and processing fibers or cloth.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The silkworm spit fibers, or cocoon threads, are composed of fibroin and sericin, which are a type of protein, and their structure is a layer of sericin that coats the fibroin that constitutes the two-strand fiber as the core. It is known to consist of. In silkworm cocoon thread, sericin is usually 2
It is contained in a proportion of 0 to 30% by weight. Fibroin mainly contains a large amount of amino acids such as glycine, alanine and serine, and sericin mainly contains a large amount of serine, glycine and aspartic acid. Here, fibroin and sericin are referred to as silk proteins. Further, the "cocoon thread" used in the present invention is, in addition to the cocoon thread itself which forms the cocoon, a cocoon itself, a cocoon, a cocoon, a fluff or the like silkworm-derived by-product and a raw silk obtained by collecting a plurality of cocoon threads. Shall be included.

In the refining process of silk yarn, in order to remove sericin of cocoon yarn, a surfactant such as mercer soap is added to an alkaline solution such as sodium carbonate or sodium silicate, and the treatment is carried out at 100 ° C. for several hours, for example. This is because sericin is sparingly soluble in water at room temperature, and such treatment hydrolyzes sericin to lower the molecular weight and elutes it. On the other hand, since fibroin is insoluble in water or a dilute alkali solution, most of sericin is removed to expose the surface of the fibroin so that the luster and texture peculiar to silk can be obtained.

[0004] By the way, such silk proteins are not only used as fibers, but also have appropriate hygroscopicity and moisture releasing properties, and the fact that they contain amino acids necessary for humans. It is also used for the modification of materials such as medical products and foods, or fibers and cloths. Therefore, various methods for separating silk proteins have been tried.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-92564, a method for extracting and obtaining high molecular weight sericin is to immerse a raw material containing sericin such as cocoon thread in an aqueous urea solution at a temperature exceeding 100 ° C. to extract sericin. Then, a method for selectively recovering high molecular weight sericin from this extract by a chromatography method or the like is described. JP-A-1
JP-A 0-29909 describes that a raw material such as cocoon thread is immersed in ionized water obtained by an ionized water generator at about 90 ° C. to hydrolyze sericin to obtain a sericin peptide solution. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-241399,
A method is described in which fibroin is dissolved using a copper ethylenediamine solution to prepare a fibroin solution, and then a fibroin membrane is prepared by an insolubilization treatment. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-27186, silk fibroin is disclosed in 15
A method for obtaining silk fibroin peptide by treatment in high-pressure water at 0 ° C to 250 ° C and hydrolysis is described. JP-A-4-202435 describes a method for obtaining a sericin solution having a molecular weight in a predetermined range from a silk smelting waste liquid by chemical smelting by a method such as ultrafiltration or a reverse osmosis membrane.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional techniques, when separating silk proteins, only substances that are harmless to the human body are used or substances that affect the human body are used in order to minimize addition of substances that affect the human body. If such a substance is used, it is removed after the treatment. In addition, the silk protein is hydrolyzed to reduce its molecular weight so that it can be easily solubilized to improve extraction efficiency, prevent clogging of dialysis membranes, etc., and prevent turbidity or sediment during storage. Also, when obtaining high molecular weight sericin, the high molecular weight sericin is selectively separated from the solution by a separation step such as a chromatography method.

When the silk protein thus obtained is used for the modification of fibers, it has a drawback that it is inferior in durability against dyeing, washing, etc., and therefore, a sticking agent may be added (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 2).
No. 277886, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-202855), water insolubilization treatment after silk protein is attached to fibers (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-258973), and silk protein is fixed by a resin (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H08-258973). 11-247
No. 068), there is proposed a processing method in which a substance is separately added in order to strengthen the adhesion to the fiber.

[0008]

However, when the silk protein has a low molecular weight, it becomes easily soluble in water. Therefore, as described above, when it is used as a fiber modifier, it cannot be used alone. Etc. are required separately. Furthermore, in order to reduce the molecular weight, it is necessary to add various treatment steps such as heat treatment, high pressure treatment, addition of a treatment agent for hydrolysis and removal of the treatment agent,
For mass production, a more complicated manufacturing process is inevitable.

Further, although it is possible to recover only high molecular weight sericin from the sericin solution by filtration or the like, a step for selectively separating only high molecular weight sericin is required and the recovery rate is reduced, resulting in an increase in cost. Becomes a factor. Further, since it requires a precise separation process, it is not suitable for mass production.

The present invention provides a method for extracting sericin without such treatment for lowering the molecular weight, and a method for easily and surely processing a fiber or cloth using the extract. It is provided.

[0011]

The method for extracting sericin according to the present invention comprises extracting sericin by immersing a cocoon thread in strongly electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing while dissolving a crystalline clay mineral. Characterize. Further, in the above sericin extraction method, sericin is extracted at room temperature. Furthermore, the sericin extraction method is characterized in that the cocoon thread is subjected to a permeation promoting treatment for promoting permeation of the strong electrolyzed water in a state where the cocoon thread is immersed.
Further, in the sericin extraction method, the permeation promoting treatment includes a pressure reducing treatment.

Furthermore, the sericin extract of the present invention is characterized in that it contains sericin extracted by the sericin extraction method. Furthermore, the sericin extract of the present invention is characterized by containing sericin having a molecular weight of 30,000 or more and an average molecular weight of 67,000, which is extracted by immersing a cocoon thread in strong electrolyzed water at room temperature.

Further, the method for modifying and processing fibers according to the present invention is
The fiber is treated with the sericin extract at room temperature. Furthermore, the method for modifying and processing a cloth according to the present invention is characterized in that the cloth is treated with the above-mentioned sericin extract at room temperature.

Here, electrolyzed water generally changes the physical properties of water by an electrochemical reaction caused by passing an electric current through water containing an electrolyte (a solute of which a part is dissolved in a solvent to generate positive and negative ions). The physical properties that change include pH, redox potential, structure and size of clusters, surface tension, and the like. The strongly electrolyzed water is a strongly electrolyzed water and is generally a generic name for strongly acidic water having a pH of about 3 or less and strong alkaline water having a pH of about 11 or more.

The strongly electrolyzed water used in the present invention is produced by electrolyzing while dissolving a crystalline clay mineral, and for example, the production method described in Japanese Patent No. 2949322 can be mentioned. As described in the publication,
This strongly electrolyzed water can stably maintain a strongly acidic or strongly alkaline pH value for a long period of time.

Electrolyzed water is generally the time that has elapsed since its production,
The pH value changes due to factors such as air contact, exposure, stirring, vibration, and contact materials, and there is a drawback that the pH value becomes neutral. It is known that even if strong electrolyzed water is produced, it will be neutralized within a few hours to a few days, and its change will be accelerated if agitated. Further, JP-A-10-29909 discloses that when a cocoon thread, for example, as a contact material is immersed in electrolyzed water, the pH value of the electrolyzed water changes to weakly acidify or weakly alkalize.

The inventors of the present invention have found that the strong electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing while dissolving the crystalline clay mineral not only maintains the stable pH value as described above, but also has various electrolysis properties. Even if you put in various materials and bring them into contact, their pH
Through various experimental results, new characteristics such as the fact that the value hardly changes, the action of extracting the substance at room temperature is very strong, and the action continues-can be obtained through various experimental results. As an example of the experimental results, it has been about 3 years since the ginseng was immersed in the strong electrolyzed water and sealed in a glass bottle, but the pH value has hardly changed from the initial pH of 12, and ginseng Various components have been extracted from. The "normal temperature state" here is a temperature state in which the protein exists in a natural state without being decomposed, and is generally said to be a temperature state of about 45 ° C or lower. In the conventional sericin extraction method, in JP-A-10-29909, extraction is performed at a temperature of 90 to 95 ° C, and in JP-A-11-92564, sericin cannot be extracted at a temperature of 80 ° C. It is very difficult to extract sericin at room temperature even from the fact that it is described, and sericin extraction was carried out by decomposing into low molecular weight at high temperature.

However, according to the present invention, sericin can be extracted from cocoon thread at room temperature based on the above-mentioned new knowledge about the characteristics of the strong electrolyzed water, and physical treatment by hydrolysis or hydrolysis by heating or high pressure can be performed. No chemical treatment is required for Since the extraction is carried out at room temperature, sericin is not forcedly hydrolyzed, and sericin is extracted in a more natural state. This is
Since the molecular weight of sericin in the extract is 30,000 or more and the average molecular weight is 67,000, it supports that the extract according to the present invention contains sericin in a substantially natural state.
Furthermore, since water that is harmless to the human body is used, there is no need to perform any treatment such as removal of harmful substances after extraction, and a safe sericin extract can be obtained. Also, even if the extract is stored with the sericin extracted, the characteristics of the strong electrolyzed water hardly change, so there are few aggregates or precipitates, and the extract should be stored in a stable state. You can

Further, the strong electrolyzed water used in the present invention can extract sericin in a state where the cocoon thread is immersed and allowed to stand, but the extraction efficiency is improved by adding a permeation promoting treatment such as a pressure reduction treatment. be able to. In addition to these treatments, as the penetration promotion treatment, placing the cocoon thread in running water of strong electrolyzed water and vibrating, compressing or rocking the cocoon thread in strong electrolyzed water also promotes penetration. be able to. The pH of conventional electrolyzed water changes greatly with respect to physical operations such as vibration, but the strong electrolyzed water of the present invention is stable against such physical operations.
It can penetrate the cocoon thread and increase the extraction efficiency of sericin.

When this extract is used for modifying the fiber, the extract is attached to the fiber at room temperature by dipping, coating or spraying and then dried to firmly fix sericin to the fiber. It is considered that this is because one of the factors is that sericin is extracted in a state close to nature, so that a large amount of high-molecular-weight sericin is present and the action of adsorbing it on the surface of the fiber is strong.

The method for modifying and processing a fiber according to the present invention is a regenerated fiber typified by rayon, a natural fiber typified by cotton, a semi-synthetic fiber such as acetate, and a polyester-based synthetic fiber typified by polyethylene terephthalate. , An aliphatic polyamide synthetic fiber typified by nylon, an acrylic fiber, or a mixed fiber thereof, and the method for modifying a fabric according to the present invention is manufactured by using these fibers. It can be applied to woven, knitted or non-woven fabrics.

Thus, the modified fiber or cloth is suitable for use in a portion that comes into contact with the human body such as clothing, interior products, miscellaneous goods, as well as medical wound covering materials (gauze, etc.). By adhering sericin, the color developability of the dye is improved, and since sericin contains amino acids necessary for humans, contact with the human body can have a favorable effect on the skin.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The strongly electrolyzed water used in the present invention is produced by performing the step of electrolyzing while dissolving a crystalline clay mineral a plurality of times on either the anode side or the cathode side. However, specifically explaining the manufacturing method, as shown in FIG. 1, six electrolytic cells 11 are arranged in an electrolytic bath 10 and the inside of the bath is filled with a saline solution (concentration: 10%). As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolysis cell 11 is configured by concentrically arranging cylindrical electrodes 1 and 3 made of stainless steel on the inner and outer surfaces of a cylindrical container-shaped electrolytic membrane 2. Electrolytic diaphragm 2 consists of brown forest soil 85% and alluvial soil 10
%, Volcanic ash soil of about 2% and other clay components of about 3% are mixed and burned at 1025 ° C.

A water injection pipe 12 is inserted into the cylindrical electrode 1 in the leftmost electrolysis cell 11 so that raw material water such as ground water is supplied. Each electrolytic cell 11 is provided with a water pipe 13 into which the open end is inserted into the cylindrical electrode 1 of the adjacent electrolytic cell. A drain pipe 14 is inserted into the cylindrical electrode 1 in the electrolysis cell 11 at the right end to discharge the generated strong electrolyzed water to the outside.

While supplying raw material water from the water injection pipe 12, a total of 4.5 A · h is provided between the electrodes 1 and 3 of each electrolysis cell 11.
When a direct current is supplied with an energizing amount of 1 / liter, electrolysis is performed in the leftmost electrolysis cell 11 while the crystalline clay mineral is dissolved from the electrolysis diaphragm 2 to produce electrolyzed water, and the electrolyzed water is sequentially placed on the right electrolysis cell 11 Water is sent through the water pipe 13, and the crystalline clay mineral is electrolyzed while being dissolved. Finally, the strong electrolyzed water is drained from the drain pipe 14. If electric current is applied so that the cylindrical electrode 1 serves as a cathode, strong electrolyzed water having a pH of 12 can be obtained. The strong electrolyzed water produced in this way is
Compared with conventional electrolyzed water, it has the following excellent characteristics. (1) Change of pH with time As described in Japanese Patent No. 2949322, the value of pH hardly changes even after 6 months to 2 years. On the other hand, in most cases, the pH of conventional electrolyzed water is neutralized in a few hours to a few days. (2) Effect of physical operations such as stirring and vibration As will be described later, even if a physical effect is exerted on strongly electrolyzed water such as depressurization treatment or cocoon yarn compression treatment, the pH hardly changes. In contrast, conventional electrolyzed water is susceptible to such physical manipulations. (3) Effect of Immersion of Material As will be described later, neutralization of pH is not observed even when cocoon thread is immersed, but conventional electrolyzed water is disclosed in JP-A-10-299.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 09-09, pH 11-12
It has been shown that the alkaline solution having a pH of about 8 is obtained as a result of hydrolyzing sericin of cocoon yarn with about alkaline ionized water. (4) Change with time of extract As described above, the extract obtained by extracting various components from ginseng by the strongly electrolyzed water used in the present invention has almost no change in pH. Further, as will be described later, it can be seen that the extract obtained by extracting sericin also shows no change in pH. On the other hand, the pH of the conventional extract with electrolyzed water is neutralized immediately after extraction, as described in JP-A-10-29909.

As described above, a great difference is recognized in the characteristics of both. This is because crystalline clay minerals (silicic acid tetrahedron, alumina octahedron, etc.) dissolved in strong electrolyzed water are suspended as stable colloidal particles in a permanently charged state, and these charged colloidal particles are electrolyzed. It is considered that the strongly alkaline or strongly acidic state is maintained by combining the generated ions. Furthermore, the presence of these colloidal particles keeps the clusters of water molecules in a contracted state, which may result in a very strong extraction effect. In any case, it is clear from the above comparison that the difference in characteristics between the two is not only quantitative but also qualitatively different.

Regarding the protein extraction action, since the protein extraction action by hydrolysis proceeds when the temperature exceeds 45 ° C., for example, even when the cocoon thread is immersed in tap water at 105 ° C. for 30 minutes, about 17%. Can be extracted. That is, since the temperature has a great influence on the extraction of protein, if the temperature rises, conventional electrolyzed water can be extracted to some extent. However, most of the sericin extracted by the temperature rise is of low molecular weight. Therefore, in the case of strong electrolyzed water used in the present invention at room temperature of 45 ° C. or lower, hydrolysis of sericin hardly progressed, and its extraction was very difficult. From these facts, it is clear that there is a great qualitative difference between the strongly electrolyzed water used in the present invention and the conventional electrolyzed water in terms of the protein extracting action.

The reason why the reduced pressure treatment is used as the permeation promoting treatment is that the reduced pressure causes the cocoon yarn to swell and the space between the fibers constituting the cocoon yarn to expand, so that the strong electrolyzed water easily permeates. In particular, since the water molecule clusters are in a reduced state as described above, it is easy to permeate into a wider area. Then, when the depressurized state is released and the pressure is returned to normal pressure, the permeated water molecules are discharged from the cocoon thread, but at that time, the extraction of sericin is promoted. When the cocoon thread is compressed and released in the state of being immersed in strong electrolyzed water, water molecules enter and are pushed out of the cocoon thread, causing strong electrolyzed water to flow, gradually penetrating into the cocoon thread, and the sericin Extraction is facilitated.

[0029]

EXAMPLES In the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, while supplying raw water at room temperature to a water injection pipe, a direct current of 4.5 A · h / liter was applied so that the electrode located on the inner surface of the electrode diaphragm became the cathode. To generate strong electrolyzed water of pH 12 at 10 liters / minute.

Using the strong electrolyzed water thus produced,
The sericin was extracted from the cocoon thread under the condition settings as shown in Samples A to F of 1. The extraction process is performed at a normal temperature of 45 ° C. or lower, and specific numerical values are shown as the starting temperature and the ending temperature. The protein concentration was measured by the Lowry method.

Further, the depressurization process is performed by a suction pump to a pressure of 0.
Depressurize to 075 atm for 3 minutes and return to 1 atm
It was repeated 0 times.

[0032]

[Table 1]

Comparing the samples A to C, the protein concentration does not increase so much even if the amount of cocoon used increases, but the protein concentration greatly increases as the immersion time increases. This tendency can also be confirmed from the fact that the protein concentration greatly increases as the immersion time increases as in Samples D to F. Further, comparing the sample C not subjected to the depressurization treatment with the samples D to F subjected to the depressurization treatment, it can be seen that the extraction efficiency is improved by the depressurization treatment.

Further, focusing on the pH, it can be seen that although the pH is slightly lowered by the extraction, the pH is maintained substantially constant even when the immersion time is extended as seen in Samples D to F.

In the conventional extraction of sericin, in JP-A-10-29909, extraction is performed at a temperature of 90 to 95 ° C., and in JP-A-11-92564, the extraction of sericin is performed at a temperature of 80 ° C. Compared with the fact that extraction of sericin was very difficult at room temperature in the past, such as the inability to extract, the difference is clear.

From the above, the extraction action of the strong electrolyzed water used in the present invention is very strong, and especially since the pH is maintained even when the immersion time is long, the protein concentration greatly increases with time.

Next, the molecular weight distribution of the extract obtained by extracting sericin from the cocoon thread under the following three conditions was measured by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Sample 1; 16 g of cocoon was soaked in 2,000 ml of strong electrolyzed water for 1 hour, and the above-mentioned depressurization treatment was performed 20 times. Sample 2; 1,000 ml of strong electrolyzed water and 1,000 m of tap water.
1 g was added and 16 g of cocoon was soaked for 1 hour and then the above-described depressurization treatment was performed 20 times. Sample 3;
And 16 g of cocoon for 1 hour, and then apply the above-mentioned depressurization treatment to 2
When the protein concentration was measured by the Lowry method for Samples 1 to 3 for 0 times, it was 34.7 μg / ml and 2 respectively.
It was 3.8 μg / ml and 25.8 μg / ml. When tap water is added, the protein concentration decreases, which indicates that the extraction action of strongly electrolyzed water has a great influence. Regarding the molecular weight, in Sample 1, the molecular weight is distributed in the range of 43,000 to 67,000,
It was found that the average molecular weight was 67,000. Samples 2 and 3 also clearly show the presence of proteins in this range of molecular weight, and sample 3 has a molecular weight of 30,000.
It was shown that there is a protein in the vicinity. From the above analysis results, it is clear that high-molecular weight sericin was extracted. Specifically, sericin having a molecular weight of 30,000 or more and an average molecular weight of 67,000 was extracted in a substantially natural state. Is clearly shown.

As a comparative example, a 5% aqueous solution of Kanebo silk was used to perform a protein composition measurement test by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In the protein concentration measurement by the Lowry method, the concentration could not be measured as it was because the concentration was as high as 83.2 mg / ml. Therefore, the measurement was carried out with an aqueous solution diluted to 4 times to 32 times, respectively. Looking at the measurement results, the molecular weight is 15,100, 24,800, 37,100
It was found that the above three kinds of proteins were contained and the above-mentioned high molecular weight proteins were not contained.

From the above, it can be seen that when the sericin extraction method of the present invention is used, high-molecular-weight sericin is extracted, and the molecular weight distribution shows that it is extracted in a more natural state.

Next, the modification processing of the cloth using the sericin extract prepared as described above will be explained. A plurality of cloth pieces woven with threads made of cotton fibers are prepared, and these cloth pieces are first produced with the strong electrolyzed water (pH 1
Boil in 2) to remove stains on the cloth pieces. Then, the cloth piece was sufficiently dried and then immersed in the extract for 180 minutes. The extract used here is 1,000m of strong electrolyzed water (pH 12).
It was made by soaking 45 g of cocoon in 1 for 48 hours at room temperature. The dipped cloth piece was naturally dried to prepare a modified cloth piece. Each piece of cloth created in this way
According to a predetermined washing method (method specified in JIS L-0217 103), the number of washing times is 0, 1 and 5 respectively.
The number of times was set to 10 times, 15 times, and 20 times.

Then, the degree of adhesion of sericin on the modified fabric piece was analyzed by the ninhydrin method. When 4 kinds of chemicals (citric acid / monohydrate, caustic soda, tin chloride / dihydrate, 2-methoxyethanol) based on ninhydrin solution are mixed with a cloth and heated in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes. , A dark brown color reaction occurs on the part where proteins are attached. It can be seen that the darker the color reaction is, the greater the amount of proteins attached is. When the ninhydrin reaction of each piece of cloth that had been washed a predetermined number of times was confirmed with the naked eye, a uniform color reaction was observed on all cloth pieces, and no difference was observed in the color reaction even if the number of times of washing was increased. It was
Further, the same test as in the case of standing was also performed on the cloth piece prepared by performing the above-mentioned depressurization treatment 20 times in the immersed state, but the same analysis result was obtained.

Furthermore, the same modification treatment as above was carried out using a cloth piece woven from yarns made of polyester fibers, but the ninhydrin reaction was visually confirmed with respect to each cloth piece that had been washed a predetermined number of times. However, a uniform color reaction was observed in all the cloth pieces, and no difference was observed in the color reaction even if the number of washings was increased.

From the above, it can be seen that when the fabric is modified with the sericin extract of the present invention, the sericin uniformly adheres to the fabric and its adhesive force is strong. Notably, the concentration of sericin is low (0.
Approximately 1 to 0.2%), but it is possible to carry out modification processing that can withstand practical use. This is considered to be because the sericin extract of the present invention contains high-molecular-weight sericin, and even a low concentration of a small amount of sericin can be efficiently used for modification processing. Furthermore, since even hydrophilic natural fibers such as cotton fibers retain a sufficient amount of attached sericin for washing, it is possible to deal with other various fiber modification processes. . Further, here, the test was performed in the state of the cloth, but the same result was obtained even when the test was performed in the state of the fiber.

[0044]

As described above, the method for extracting sericin according to the present invention makes it possible to extract sericin from cocoon yarn at room temperature due to the extremely strong extraction power of the strong electrolyzed water used in the present invention, and more naturally. A sericin extract in a close state can be obtained. Also, unlike conventional methods, physical treatment such as heating and chemical treatment for hydrolysis are not performed, so process control is simplified and water that is harmless to the human body is used. No post-processing is required. Further, if the pressure reduction treatment is performed while the cocoon thread is immersed, the extraction efficiency of sericin can be significantly improved.

Since the pH of the sericin extract prepared by the sericin extraction method of the present invention is maintained as it is, turbidity or precipitate hardly occurs even if it is stored for a long period of time. In addition, since sericin having a molecular weight of 30,000 or more and an average molecular weight of 67,000 is contained, when the fiber or cloth is modified by using the sericin extract according to the present invention, sericin is uniformly attached. Thus, a fiber or cloth having a silky texture can be obtained. In particular, even a low concentration of sericin extract can sufficiently exert the effect, so that even a small amount of sericin can be efficiently used for the modification processing. Furthermore, since the high-molecular weight sericin is used, the adhesive force of the protein to the fiber or cloth becomes strong, and it has sufficient durability against washing and the like. The durability against the number of times of washing is maintained not only in the hydrophilic natural fiber such as cotton fiber but also in the synthetic fiber such as polyester fiber, and it can correspond to various other fiber modification processing. . In addition, the color development is improved because sericin is evenly attached, and since sericin contains many amino acid components necessary for humans, it is preferable to use it on the part that comes into contact with the human body. Can be given.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an apparatus for producing strong electrolyzed water used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an electrolytic cell in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Cylindrical electrode on the inner surface side 2 Electrolytic diaphragm 3 Cylindrical electrode on the outer surface side 10 Electrolyzer 11 Electrolysis cell 12 Water injection pipe 13 water pipe 14 drainage pipe

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takashi Yamazaki             151-30 Minoshima Ninomaru-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture             -3A-506 F term (reference) 4H045 AA10 AA20 BA10 CA51 EA65                       GA01                 4L033 AA01 AA03 AA05 AA07 AA08                       AB05 AB06 AB07 BA53 CA08

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method for extracting sericin, which comprises extracting sericin by immersing a cocoon thread in strong electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing while dissolving a crystalline clay mineral. 2. The sericin extraction method according to claim 1, wherein sericin is extracted at room temperature. 3. The method for extracting sericin according to claim 1, wherein the cocoon yarn is subjected to a permeation promoting treatment for promoting permeation of the strong electrolyzed water in a state where the cocoon yarn is immersed. 4. The method for extracting sericin according to claim 3, wherein the permeation promoting treatment includes a pressure reducing treatment. 5. A sericin extract, comprising sericin extracted by the extraction method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A sericin extract containing sericin having a molecular weight of 30,000 or more and an average molecular weight of 67,000, which is extracted by immersing a cocoon thread in strong electrolyzed water at room temperature. 7. A method for modifying and processing a fiber, which comprises treating the fiber with the sericin extract according to claim 5 or 6 at room temperature. 8. A method for modifying and processing a cloth, which comprises treating the cloth with the sericin extract according to claim 5 or 6 at room temperature.