Laboratory-based research out of the University of Cincinnati recently published in PLOS One has found a fabric most capable of protecting us from COVID-19: Silk. But how could something as luxurious and fashionable as silk be effective in a global pandemic? Let's dig deeper!
Silk is created by none other than the caterpillar, the insects that turn into butterflies and moths. In the case of silk, the silk moth caterpillar (Bombyx mori) has been widely bred for silk production.
Interestingly, the caterpillar’s gift of silk isn’t just beautiful and hydrophobic, it’s also naturally antiviral, antimicrobial, and antibacterial. What gives silk its many health-promoting qualities may come down to the presence of copper (which comes from silk moths eating copper-rich mulberry leaves).
The authors of the PLOS One report explained that their goal was binary. They wanted to determine the best fabric for everyday use. The researchers measured the fabrics’ hydrophobicity (which determines how tiny, aerosolized water droplets get in and out) as well as the breathability of each mask (since we are all aware of the challenges we face to take a full breath while masked). They also tested how the fabric performed after multiple cleanings.
Silk was able to best repel and withstand penetration of aerolized droplets, meaning it had the most hydrophobicity compared to cotton and polyester. As a facial covering and a covering for a mask, including after several re-washes, silk remained remarkable.
This isn’t the first time silk has been used in a medical capacity. Sutures are made from silk, and current research is examining other new applications for silk in health care.
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