International Conference on Global Trends in Engineering, Technology and Management (ICGTETM-2016)
Spider Silk Harvester
Nayan R. Maheshwari, Dr. Manojkumar Z. Chopda
Department of Zoology, Animal house Division, Moolji Jaitha College,
North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon
Department of Zoology, Animal house Division, Moolji Jaitha College,
North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon
ABSTRACT
Spider silk reported many physical, chemical, biological and pharmacological activities. For studying spider
silk in native form it is important that it must be in pure form and free from contamination. So current study is
based on harvesting spider silk in laboratory condition. Here we prepare a mechanical wheel over that the silk
thread get collected. For that standardization of spinning of harvesting unit that is speed of pulley is necessary.
We tried different motor speed. We find the 5RPM is moderate speed for harvesting silk from different spider
species.
KEYWORDS: Spider, Silk ,Harvester
So here we point the study for Harvesting of pure
INTRODUCTION
In animal kingdom 45753 species of spider are
spider silk in laboratory condition.
present (Class Arachnida) (World Spider Catalog,
Material and method
2015). Out of which some species secrets silk. Silk
Animal Used
from spiders has also generated considerable
Signature spider and giant wood spider species
scientific potential in recent years. Over the past
were collected from North Maharashtra region. The
two decades, scientists have been attempting to
spider species were identified with the help of keys
unravel the molecular details of spider silks
for Indian spiders mentioned by Tikader, Pocock
because these composite materials offer a broader
and Platnick.
range of diverse mechanical properties. Spider silk
Electrical Instrument
fibers have remarkable mechanical properties and
Motors From 3.5 RPM to 500 RPM speed were
certain threads are superior to Nylon, Kevlar and
used to observed the spin the spider silk over the
high-tensile steel. As advances in the processes for
pulley (diameter 8cm), which attached over the
their synthesis, processing, and extrusion continue
shaft of motor (Figure-1).
to emerge it presents scientists with exciting
Experimentation
opportunities for developing new classes of
The spider species were anesthetized then transfer
biomaterials. Spider silk proteins are synthesized
to the mounting tray. Spider species mount there
from specialized abdominal glands that function as
and with the help of sterilized forceps a thread of
bio-factories to produce large quantities of silk
silk from the spinneret gland of spider was pulled
fibroins; these fibroins are spun into silks with
out slowly and placed over the arm of pulley and
different
properties,
compositions
and
motor was started.
morphologies. Silks also have been shown to have
The speed of different motors used in the
piezoelectric properties and stability over a range
experiment and their effect for harvesting spider
of temperatures (Ando et al., 1980).
silk is given in following table 1.
Spider silk shows lots Physical properties and
Results
physical importance as using spider silk as using
The speed of motor of harvesting unit from
spider silk we can prepare bullet proof jacket light500RPM to 45 RPM was too high and it breaks the
weight clothing, rope, nets, seat belts, parachutes
spider silk after attaching it to the pulley. The
etc. It also used in optical industry and as
speeds of 10 RPM do not break the silk but it
biodegradable material.
causes stress over the animal. The speed of 5 RPM
Silk have biomedical importance due to its
was the best for harvesting silk from Signature and
chemical properties. It has antimicrobial, wound
giant wood spider. The 3.5 RPM was lose the
healing, Bone regeneration and nerve regeneration
strength over the pulley therefore it become coiled
etc. medicinal properties. It is biocompatible
near the spinneret gland and then it affects the
material so used in drug delivery system.
animal.
Spider silk have so many useful properties those
The silk harvested from this technique was free
are useful to human being but it must be in pure
from dust, waste material and the food particles
form. The Spider silk (Web) collected from field or
those remain left over by spider. As this spider silk
natural habitat contains dust as well as the
is pure it is used to check its mechanical, physical,
remaining waste of it food (Pray) which eaten by
biochemical and pharmacological activities.
the spider.
ISSN: 2231-5381
http://www.ijettjournal.org
Page 552
International Conference on Global Trends in Engineering, Technology and Management (ICGTETM-2016)
Conclusion
The motor with 5 RPM shows good results in
harvesting spider silk from different spider species
without breaking and harming the animal.
Therefore it may conclude that this speed probably
may be used for various spider species.
2.
3.
Acknowledgement
The authors are also thankful to Principal, Moolji
Jaitha College for providing necessary facilities to
carry out experiment.
References
1. Ando, Y., Okano, R., Nishida, K., Miyata, S.,
& Fukade, E. (1980). Piezoelectric and related
properties of hydrated silk fibroin. Rep Prog
Polymer Physics Japan, 23, 775-778.
4.
5.
6.
Cai Z-X, Mo X-M, Zhang K-H, Fan L-P, Yin
A-L, He C-L, Wang H-S: Fabrication of
Chitosan/Silk Fibroin Composite Nanofibers
for
Wound-dressing
Applications.
International journal of molecular sciences
2010, 11:3529--3539.
Pocock RI: The Fauna of British India,
Arachnida, Including Ceylon and Burma,
1900.
Shultz J W: The origin of the spinning
apparatus in spiders. Biol. Rev. 1987, 62: 89113.
Tikader BK: Handbook, Indian Spiders,
1987.
World Spider Catalog (2015). World Spider
Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern, online
at http://wsc.nmbe.ch, version 16.5.
Figure-1: The Spider Silk Harvester
Table 1 RPM standardization for harvesting spider silk of signature spider and giant wood spider species
Sr. No.
Speed of Motor (RPM)
Observation
Speed was too high and silk thread was not come continuously it
01
500
breaks immediately after attaching to the pulley of machine.
Speed was too high and Silk thread was not come continuously it
02
100
breaks fast in few seconds after attaching to the pulley of machine.
Speed was too high and Silk thread was not come continuously it
03
60
breaks in few seconds after attaching to the pulley of machine.
Silk thread was not come continuously it breaks within a minute after
04
45
attaching to the pulley of machine.
Silk thread was come continuously on the pulley of the machine.
05
10
Speed was moderate but not suitable to all species of spiders
Silk thread was come continuously on the pulley of the machine. Best
06
05
speed to harvest silk from the spinneret gland of the spider.
Silk thread was come continuously on the pulley of the machine. But
07
3.5
not evenly
ISSN: 2231-5381
http://www.ijettjournal.org
Page 553