Method for the Destruction of Endotoxin in Synthetic Spider Silk Proteins.

ABSTRACT: Although synthetic spider silk has impressive potential as a biomaterial, endotoxin contamination of the spider silk proteins is a concern, regardless of the production method. The purpose of this research was to establish a standardized method to either remove or destroy the endotoxins present in synthetic spider silk proteins, such that the endotoxin level was consistently equal to or less than 0.25 EU/mL, the FDA limit for similar implant materials. Although dry heat is generally the preferred method for endotoxin destruction, heating the silk proteins to the necessary temperatures led to compromised mechanical properties in the resultant materials. In light of this, other endotoxin destruction methods were investigated, including caustic rinses and autoclaving. It was found that autocl

SUBMITTER: Decker RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6093939 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature