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 protein fragments having an average weight average molecular weight selected from between about 17 kDa to about 38 kDa, and a polydispersity of between about 1.5 and about 3.0;   0 to 500 ppm of inorganic residuals; and   0 to 500 ppm of organic residuals,   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.   
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin protein fragments comprise about 0.01% (w/w) to about 10% (w/w) sericin. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the composition is substantially homogeneous. 
     
     
         49 . An aqueous solution comprising the composition of  claim 46 . 
     
     
         50 . A serum comprising the composition of  claim 46 . 
     
     
         51 . The serum of  claim 50 , comprising from about 0.1 wt. % to about 6.0 wt. % of silk fibroin protein fragments. 
     
     
         52 . The serum of  claim 50 , further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of vitamin E, rosemary oil, rose oil, lemon juice, lemon grass oil, vanilla, geranium, and green tea. 
     
     
         53 . The serum of  claim 50 , further comprising from about 0.5 wt. % to about 30.0 wt. % of vitamin C or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         54 . A film comprising the composition of  claim 46 . 
     
     
         55 . The film of  claim 54 , wherein the film is sufficiently flexible to conform to anatomical topographies. 
     
     
         56 . The film of  claim 54 , wherein the silk fibroin protein fragments comprise between about 1.0% and about 50.0% crystalline protein domains. 
     
     
         57 . The film of  claim 54 , comprising from about 30.0 wt. % to about 99.5 wt. % of silk fibroin protein fragments. 
     
     
         58 . The film of  claim 54 , further comprising from about 1.0 wt. % to about 50.0 wt. % of vitamin C or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         59 . The film of  claim 54 , further comprising one or more therapeutic agents, growth factors, antioxidants, proteins, carbohydrates, polymers, nucleic acids, salts, acids, bases, biomolecules, glycosamino glycans, polysaccharides, extracellular matrix molecules, metals, metal ion, metal oxide, synthetic molecules, polyanhydrides, cells, fatty acids, fragrance, minerals, plants, plant extracts, preservatives, and essential oils. 
     
     
         60 . The film of  claim 54 , further comprising an alpha hydroxy acid selected from glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, and citric acid. 
     
     
         61 . The film of  claim 54 , further comprising hyaluronic acid or its salt form at a concentration ranging from about 0.5 wt. % to about 10.0 wt. %. 
     
     
         62 . The film of  claim 54 , further comprising at least one of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.