Silk protein fragment compositions and articles manufactured therefrom

Abstract

A composition is disclosed that includes pure silk fibroin-based protein fragments that are substantially devoid of sericin, wherein the composition has an average weight average molecular weight ranging from about 17 kDa to about 38 kDa, wherein the composition has a polydispersity of between about 1.5 and about 3.0, wherein the composition is substantially homogeneous, wherein the composition between 0 ppm to about 500 ppm of inorganic residuals, and wherein the composition includes between 0 ppm to about 500 ppm of organic residuals.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A composition comprising:
 silk fibroin fragments having an average weight average molecular weight selected from between about 1 kDa and about 5 kDa, between about 5 kDa and about 10 kDa, between about 10 kDa and about 15 kDa, between about 15 kDa and about 20 kDa, between about 20 kDa and about 25 kDa, between about 25 kDa and about 30 kDa, between about 30 kDa and about 35 kDa, between about 35 kDa and about 40 kDa, between about 40 kDa and about 45 kDa, and between about 45 kDa and about 50 kDa, and a polydispersity between 1 and about 5;   about 0.01% (w/w) to about 10% (w/w) sericin;   0 to 500 ppm inorganic residuals; and   0 to 500 ppm organic residuals.   
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the composition does not spontaneously or gradually gelate and does not visibly change in color or turbidity when in an aqueous solution for at least 10 days. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have an average weight average molecular weight between about 1 kDa and about 5 kDa. 
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have an average weight average molecular weight between about 5 kDa and about 10 kDa. 
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have an average weight average molecular weight between about 10 kDa and about 15 kDa. 
     
     
         51 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have a polydispersity between 1 and about 1.5. 
     
     
         52 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have a polydispersity between about 1.5 and about 2.0. 
     
     
         53 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have a polydispersity between about 1.5 and about 3.0. 
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have a polydispersity between about 2.0 and about 2.5. 
     
     
         55 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have a polydispersity between about 2.5 and about 3.0. 
     
     
         56 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the composition is substantially homogeneous. 
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the composition is an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the composition is a gel. 
     
     
         59 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the composition is a serum. 
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the composition is a skin peel. 
     
     
         61 . The composition of  claim 46 , further comprising one or more of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, rosemary oil, rose oil, lemon juice, lemon grass oil, vanilla, geranium, green tea, or a skin exfoliating agent. 
     
     
         62 . The composition of  claim 46 , further comprising hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         63 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have an average weight average molecular weight between about 15 kDa and about 20 kDa. 
     
     
         64 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have an average weight average molecular weight between about 20 kDa and about 25 kDa. 
     
     
         65 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have an average weight average molecular weight between about 25 kDa and about 30 kDa. 
     
     
         66 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have an average weight average molecular weight between about 30 kDa and about 35 kDa. 
     
     
         67 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have an average weight average molecular weight between about 35 kDa and about 40 kDa. 
     
     
         68 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have an average weight average molecular weight between about 40 kDa and about 45 kDa. 
     
     
         69 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin fragments have an average weight average molecular weight between about 45 kDa and about 50 kDa.