Silk Fibroin (SF) – refers – to a natural fibrous protein primarily extracted from the cocoons of the Bombyx mori silkworm. It is highly valued for its extraordinary mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and biodegradable properties. Structurally, it comprises of heavy and light protein chains that form crystalline β-sheet configurations, enabling it to be processed into a variety of formats- for instance – gels, films, sponges, and fibers. Owing to its tunable degradation rate and non-toxic, regenerative characteristics, silk fibroin is extensively utilized in biomedical engineering applications, particularly in tissue engineering scaffolds (comprising bone and skin regeneration), drug delivery systems, and surgical sutures.
