Characterization of water in hydrated Bombyx mori silk fibroin fiber and films by ²H NMR relaxation and ¹³C solid state NMR.

ABSTRACT: The mechanical properties of Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF), such as elasticity and tensile strength, change remarkably upon hydration. However, the microscopic interaction with water is not currently well understood on a molecular level. In this work, the dynamics of water molecules interacting with SF was studied by ²H solution NMR relaxation and exchange measurements. Additionally, the conformations of hydrated [3-¹³C]Ala-, [3-¹³C]Ser-, and [3-¹³C]Tyr-SF fibers and films were investigated by ¹³C DD/MAS NMR. Using an inverse Laplace transform algorithm, we were able to identify four distinct components in the relaxation times for water in SF fiber. Namely, A: bulk water outside the fiber, B: water molecules trapped weakly on the surfa

SUBMITTER: Asakura T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5316372 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature