Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based biotyping of silk. I. Method development

A method for the analysis of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) cocoons and silk fibers was established using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This method was evaluated on the most popular four-way cross hybrid race Kinshu × Showa and its parent races Kinshu and Showa. Most of the peaks observed in the peptide mass fingerprints of the Kinshu × Showa cocoon were from the parent races Kinshu and Showa. Simultaneous acid cleavage of silk fibers at room temperature is a characteristic phenomenon that has not been observed in spider silk and animal hair.