Abstract

The 3-Amino-7-dimethylamino-2-methylphenazine hydrochloride (Eurhodin or Neutral Red) deserve capabilities of coloring the natural silk. Hundred grams of fresh mulberry leaves were kept immersed in a liter of aqueous solution of eurhodin powder with hundred milligrams per liter (100 ppm) strength for half an hour. Such treated mulberry leaves were drained off completely; fed daily to the fifth instar silkworm larvae of bivoltine Cross Breed [(CSR6 x CSR26) x CSR2 x CSR27)] and multivoltine crossbreed (PM x CSR2) races for first four days after the fourth moult. For each day, four feedings were supplied at the rate 100 grams of mulberry leaves for the group of hundred larvae. Larvae fed with untreated and water treated mulberry leaves were also maintained. Mature larvae were considered for the provision of mountage  for spinning the cocoon.  The cocoons were harvested on fifth day after the provision of mountage.  Treating the mulberry leaves with aqueous solution of eurhodin and feeding fifth instar larvae was found resulted into significant improvement in Tissue Somatic Index (TSI) from 23.855 to 28.499 in multivoltine crossbreed (PM x CSR2) race and from 24.719 to 29.780  in bltivoltine crossbreed [(CSR6 x CSR26) x CSR2 x CSR27)] race. Cocoons spinned by the larvae fed with eurhodin treated mulberry leaves were found effected into fortification in their shell ratio from 19.741 to 24.107 in multivoltine crossbreed (PM x CSR2) race and from 20.975 to 33.393 in bltivoltine crossbreed [(CSR6 x CSR26) x CSR2 x CSR27)]  race. The fortification through eurhodin treatment was also reflected in the quality of silk filament, the denier scale. The denier scale was reported to significant improvement from 2.049 to 3.003 in multivoltine crossbreed (PM x CSR2) race and from 3.237 to 4.743 in bltivoltine crossbreed [(CSR6 x CSR26) x CSR2 x CSR27)]  race of silkworm, Bombyx mori. Through feeding a modified diet mulberry leaves treated with eurhodin, a vital dye, the present attempt is reporting production of red tinged silk filament. This kind of approach may help to establish eco-friendly technology for coloring the natural silk. 

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Bivoltine, Multivoltine, Crossbreed, Denier Scale.

Received on 13/02/2019, Accepted on 20/02/2019, Published on 22/02/2019