Vol. 8, Special Issue 8 (2025)
Abstract
Agriculture Sciences Sericulture, the cultivation of silkworms for silk production, generates a wide range of by-products at various stages, from mulberry cultivation to post-cocoon processing. In the pre-cocoon stage, mulberry plant residues such as pruned branches, stems, roots, unfit leaves, and fallen fruits are produced in large quantities. These materials can be utilized for compost, vermicompost, livestock feed, herbal teas, nutraceutical extracts, and the preparation of value-added mulberry fruit-based products. During silkworm rearing, substantial quantities of waste are generated in the form of leftover mulberry leaves, rearing bed refuse, and larval litter. These wastes are rich in organic matter and can be converted into organic manure, biofertilizers, and soil conditioners through composting and vermiculture techniques. Silkworm faecal matter, an abundant by-product of the larval stage, contains undigested phytochemicals, dietary fibers, and bioactive compounds from mulberry leaves. It has applications in traditional medicine, pharmaceutical preparations, and as a potent organic fertilizer. After silk reeling, the silkworm pupae emerge as one of the most valuable by-products, being rich in protein, essential amino acids, and lipids. They are used as a food source in certain cultures, processed into poultry and aquaculture feed, and serve as raw material for pupal oil extraction, biodiesel production, and cosmetic formulations. Chrysalis and moth bodies obtained from grainage operations contain chitin, chitosan, and pigments, which have applications in biomedical industries, water purification, and the production of biodegradable materials. The grainage process also yields pierced or cut cocoons, which are unsuitable for reeling but valuable for handicrafts, decorative art, spun silk production, and the manufacture of composite materials. Silk reeling and spinning generate waste such as floss silk, noil, and short fibres, which are repurposed into spun yarn, nonwoven fabrics, upholstery, and insulation materials. Seri-industrial wastewater from degumming, dyeing, and finishing processes contains proteins, pigments, and organic compounds that can be recovered or treated through eco-friendly bioremediation techniques. Additionally, specialized protein extracts such as sericin and fibroin obtained from silk processing have gained commercial importance in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, wound healing products, edible films, and tissue engineering scaffolds. Recognizing these outputs as valuable co-products rather than waste enhances the economic viability of sericulture, promotes resource efficiency, and supports environmental sustainability. With appropriate processing technologies and market development, sericulture by-products can contribute to a zero-waste industry model, creating opportunities for rural entrepreneurship, improving farmer income, and supporting the bio-circular economy.
