Author(s): Shumaila Naaz, Dr. Charu Gupta and Dr. Sunita Aggarwal

Abstract:
Silk is the queen of fibers. Degumming with alkaline pH, and high temperature causes degradation of silk fiber. Proteolytic enzyme works under milder condition and cause less damage to the fiber. Various mediums were being used for degumming of silk. Out of which minimal medium was found to be the most effective one with 28% weight loss while conventional methods shows only 24% weight loss. Two isolates Bacillus subtilis and penicillium citrinum out of four microbes were opted for enzyme production. The efficiency of the enzyme was studied in terms of weight loss, whiteness index, dyed and assessed for color value, texture, feel and luster.