Applicability of sericulture in the food industry and medicine

Abstract

The prevalence of constipation is increasing, one of the causes being the adverse reaction to morphine administration. Besides drug therapy and alternative remedies (yoga, phytotherapy, acupuncture etc.), another method is a change of lifestyle, including diet. The aim of this study is to assess the applicability of sericin in food research and development for special nutritional requirements, including the prevention and treatment of constipation. The study was carried out comparatively with standard food and bovine lactoferrin, in Wistar rats that were administered morphine in order to induce constipation. Of the two glycoproteins analyzed, sericin was the most efficient in improving constipation. Feces with highest deformation, pH, refractometric soluble dry matter were obtained in the group on sericin-supplemented food. No biochemical changes in urine were noted.