sericin

[ ser-uh-sin ]

noun

1. a gelatinous organic compound that holds the two strands of natural silk together.

sericin

/ ˈsɛrɪsɪn /

noun

1. a gelatinous protein found on the fibres of raw silk

Word History and Origins

Origin of sericin¹

First recorded in 1835–45; seric- + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of sericin¹

C19: from Latin sēricum silk + -in

Example Sentences

Cocoons are thrown into vats of boiling water rather than allowed to open naturally so that they will lose their sericin, a natural glue.

From New York Times

Structurally, silk is a twin thread of the protein fibroin, coated by a sticky layer formed of sericin: a protein that among other things resists oxidation, is anti-bacterial and is UV-resistant.

From Scientific American

Then the cocoons are put into a hot bath to wash the silk fibres clean of the gluey glycoprotein sericin, before being processed to dissolve and purify the fibroin protein.

From Nature

Sericin is the main sun protectant in the soap.

From Seattle Times

Raw silk consists of the true silk fibre known as fibroin and a gummy coating, sericin, which dulls the lustre of the silk unless removed.

From Project Gutenberg