Exploring the Metal Composition of Eri Silkworm Cocoons Reared on Diverse Host Plant Combinations

Background: The objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of Eri silk cocoons that were reared on various combinations of host plants. The primary host plant castor and secondary host plants such as kesseru, tapioca, gulancha and papaya were utilized in various combinations for different instars. Methods: The present analysis was conducted in lab at Department of Entomology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during spring season of the year 2022-23. SEM/EDX was used to investigate the cocoons metal elements. Each sample was examined separately to evaluate metal content. Conductive carbon tape attached specimens to stubs. The metal elemental analysis of the scaffold was performed by EDX attached to the scanning electron microscope. Result: For silk cocoon inner surfaces, the metal elements were ordered as follows: C greater than O greater than Mo greater than K greater than Cl greater than Ca greater than Si greater than Na greater than Mg greater than Al. Some Eri cocoons were produced on different host plants and had somewhat different exteriors, but all had evenly distributed components. C and O were abundant on all silk cocoons’ inner and outer surfaces. Cocoons produced on many host plants have higher chemical metal element levels on their exterior and interior surfaces than those raised on a single host plant. The study suggests that chemical factors have a role in silk cocooning, encouraging the creation of β-sheet structure.