How to Make Hydrolyzed Silk Protein

Hydrolyzed silk protein is used as an ingredient in cosmetics.

Silk protein is a specialty ingredient in hair and skin preparations. It is known for outstanding moisture-retention properties and silky feel. A hydrolyzed silk protein is made by subjecting silk fibers to akali materials such as diluted sodium hydroxide to produce a material that is water soluble and can be added to soaps and shampoos.

Things You'll Need

• Silk fiber
• Dilute sodium hydroxide, 5 percent concentration
• 2 glass bowls
• Glass stirring rod
• Small kitchen strainer
• Coffee filter

Instructions

1. Add the silk fiber to the glass bowl. Add the dilute sodium hydroxide to the fiber in the bowl. Ensure that the liquid covers all of the fibers.

2. Gently stir the fiber solution with the glass rod for 10 minutes

3. Place the coffee filter into the small kitchen strainer so there are no gaps.

4. Slowly pour the fiber solution into the small kitchen strainer and catch the filtrate in the second glass bowl. The cloudy solution in the second bowl is the hydrolyzed silk protein.

References

• Ingredients to Die For: Silk Protein
• Making Cosmetics: Silk Protein