Related Keywords: Indian Researchers, National Chemical Laboratory, silkworms, spin coloured silk
Eco-friendly method to help silkworms spin naturally fluorescent, coloured silk have been successfully developed by Indian researchers by feeding them dyed mulberry leaves.
For some 5,000 years, cultivated silkworms have been spinning white silk fibres destined for use in the finest clothing. Current dyeing practices produce wastewater that contains potentially harmful toxins, so scientists are turning to a "greener" dyeing method in which they coax coloured fibres from the caterpillars by feeding them dyed leaves.
