Digital Silk: Embracing Innovation in Sericulture 4.0

Abstract

Sericulture, an ancient silk producing process, has a long tradition and is adaptable to modern demands. The article looks at worldwide sericulture developments, with a focus on technology, sustainability, and market dynamics. Technological advancements are propelling the sector ahead, satisfying current customer needs while competing in an international market. Sustainability is becoming more essential, as techniques involving organic silk production and circular economy ideas are incorporated. However, sericulture confronts obstacles that may jeopardize its future possibilities. The essay makes proposals for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to ensure sericulture's long-term significance and growth in the global economy. This study examines the advancements achieved in biomedical and tissue engineering research involving silk proteins, notably fibroins and sericin. It emphasizes the promise of Indian non-mulberry silk-based matrices for tissue regeneration and looks ahead to the future of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The study also focuses on the advancement of cutting-edge techniques including 3D printing, bioprinting, microfluidics, organ-on-a-chip, and other electrical, optical, and thermal properties-based applications in the field. This review covers the issue of balancing productivity and environmental effect while breeding mulberry silkworms to produce silk. While pesticides are essential for pest management, they can have a harmful influence on the environment. Sustainable sericulture cultivation necessitates careful planning and coordination. Farmers can safeguard the health of mulberry silkworms and promote long-term silk production by applying suitable pesticides and investigating alternate pest management approaches. This study focuses on the prospective uses of sericulture natural products and byproducts in a variety of domains, including regenerative pharmaceuticals, tissue engineering, medical textiles, drug delivery systems, cosmeceuticals, food additives, and biomaterial fabrication. Silkworm pupa has demonstrated potential in treatments, nutrition, cosmetics, animal feed, and fertilizer. Sericulture waste may also be utilized to generate sustainable biofuels, proving the value of traditional sericulture operations in the burgeoning field of biorefinery.