Performance of cross-linked silk fibroin membrane using tyrosinase

AbstractBased on the catalytic oxidation, the cross-linked silk fibroin membrane and the chitosan-modified silk fibroin membrane are prepared by means of tape-casting method. Compared with the silk fibroin membrane without cross-linking, the cross-linked membrane has lower water solubility and higher breaking strength. The structural differences between control and cross-linked membrane are confirmed by Atomic Force Microscope and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy measurements. The analysis of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis further proves that the silk fibroin is cross-linked by tyrosinase. The chitosan-modified silk fibroin membrane shows excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, and the inhibition rate is about 95%. Our results indicate the potential application of this blend membrane in biomedical material.