From byssus threads to Pinna nobilis sea-silk: a fiber characterization

Sea-silk is made from the byssus threads of Pinna nobilis, an endemic species found in the Mediterranean. The fibers are carefully harvested by cutting them off the mussel, after which they undergo a series of processes including washing, drying, combing, and spinning. The end result is a...

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Main Authors: Lorena C. Giannossa, Annarosa Mangone, Giovanni Lagioia, Gerardo Palazzo, Luigi Gentile
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academia.edu Journals 2023-11-01
Series:Academia Materials Science
Online Access:https://www.academia.edu/108841677/From_Byssus_Threads_to_Pinna_nobilis_Sea_Silk_A_Fiber_Chemical_and_Structural_Characterization
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author Lorena C. Giannossa
Annarosa Mangone
Giovanni Lagioia
Gerardo Palazzo
Luigi Gentile
author_facet Lorena C. Giannossa
Annarosa Mangone
Giovanni Lagioia
Gerardo Palazzo
Luigi Gentile
author_sort Lorena C. Giannossa
collection DOAJ
description Sea-silk is made from the byssus threads of Pinna nobilis, an endemic species found in the Mediterranean. The fibers are carefully harvested by cutting them off the mussel, after which they undergo a series of processes including washing, drying, combing, and spinning. The end result is an exceptionally fine, distinctive, and highly valuable fabric. Pinna nobilis byssus is non-collagenous-based, and the fiber's nanostructure is still poorly understood. In this study, we present an investigation into Pinna nobilis byssus samples collected from the Commodity Science Museum of the University of Bari Aldo Moro (Italy) at various stages of the textile manufacturing process. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we reveal a distinctive elliptical cross-section of the Pinna nobilis byssus fibers. Additionally, by using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, we discover hydroxyapatite adsorbed onto the initial fibers. This finding provides intriguing insights into the composition and potential functional properties of the byssus threads. Furthermore, using a WAXRD-based method, we observe a decrease in the crystalline/amorphous ratio during the byssus treatment process. This finding suggests the occurrence of structural modifications as the fibers undergo manufacturing steps, potentially influencing the properties of the final sea-silk fabric.
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spelling doaj-art-f0c91a3ca738452aa27ee0676b2933d62025-02-11T21:54:54ZengAcademia.edu JournalsAcademia Materials Science2997-20272023-11-011110.20935/AcadMatSci6123From byssus threads to Pinna nobilis sea-silk: a fiber characterizationLorena C. Giannossa0Annarosa Mangone1Giovanni Lagioia2Gerardo Palazzo3Luigi Gentile4Department of Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, 70126, Italy.Department of Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, 70126, Italy.Department of Economics, Management and Business Law, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, 70126, Italy.Department of Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, 70126, Italy.Department of Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, 70126, Italy. Sea-silk is made from the byssus threads of Pinna nobilis, an endemic species found in the Mediterranean. The fibers are carefully harvested by cutting them off the mussel, after which they undergo a series of processes including washing, drying, combing, and spinning. The end result is an exceptionally fine, distinctive, and highly valuable fabric. Pinna nobilis byssus is non-collagenous-based, and the fiber's nanostructure is still poorly understood. In this study, we present an investigation into Pinna nobilis byssus samples collected from the Commodity Science Museum of the University of Bari Aldo Moro (Italy) at various stages of the textile manufacturing process. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we reveal a distinctive elliptical cross-section of the Pinna nobilis byssus fibers. Additionally, by using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, we discover hydroxyapatite adsorbed onto the initial fibers. This finding provides intriguing insights into the composition and potential functional properties of the byssus threads. Furthermore, using a WAXRD-based method, we observe a decrease in the crystalline/amorphous ratio during the byssus treatment process. This finding suggests the occurrence of structural modifications as the fibers undergo manufacturing steps, potentially influencing the properties of the final sea-silk fabric.https://www.academia.edu/108841677/From_Byssus_Threads_to_Pinna_nobilis_Sea_Silk_A_Fiber_Chemical_and_Structural_Characterization
spellingShingle Lorena C. Giannossa
Annarosa Mangone
Giovanni Lagioia
Gerardo Palazzo
Luigi Gentile
From byssus threads to Pinna nobilis sea-silk: a fiber characterization
Academia Materials Science
title From byssus threads to Pinna nobilis sea-silk: a fiber characterization
title_full From byssus threads to Pinna nobilis sea-silk: a fiber characterization
title_fullStr From byssus threads to Pinna nobilis sea-silk: a fiber characterization
title_full_unstemmed From byssus threads to Pinna nobilis sea-silk: a fiber characterization
title_short From byssus threads to Pinna nobilis sea-silk: a fiber characterization
title_sort from byssus threads to pinna nobilis sea silk a fiber characterization
url https://www.academia.edu/108841677/From_Byssus_Threads_to_Pinna_nobilis_Sea_Silk_A_Fiber_Chemical_and_Structural_Characterization
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