The degumming of silk cocoon fibre can be easily performed by the enzyme method at optimum pH 6_??_8 and temperature 40_??_45°C in a one-hour treatment process compared to the fermentation process which requires two-three days. Enzyme does not discolor the fibre and furthermore, observations of the fibre surface construction under the electron microscope and by the determination of the ratio of desizing sericin confirmed better and complete degumming results compared to that of by the papain and trypsin enzymes (Plate 14). Bacteria enzyme degumming (Plate 16, 17, 18) is different from the marseilles soap, sodium carbonate and ammonia water degumming (Plate 5_??_10).
The enzamine method can be safely applied on all varities of cocoon and does not affect the fibroin fibre of any part of the cocoon layer. It selectively decomposes sericin and degumming is performed uniformity.