ANALYSIS OF THE FLAVONOIDS IN THE COCOON SHELL OF THE SILKWORM, BOMBYX MORI

摘要

Colors of the cocoon shell of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, are white, pale green, pale yellow, yellow and red, depending on their race. These colors are due to flavonoids or carotenoids. The flavonoids in the cocoon shell have not been identified yet. We extracted flavonoids from the pale green cocoon shell of Multi-Bi and the pale yellow cocoon shell of Daizo (G). Pigments were analyzed by using HPLC. Six kinds of flavonoids were found in the cocoon shell of Multi-Bi and eleven kinds of flavonoids were found in the cocoon shell of Daizo (G). These flavonoids were not detected in the mulberry leaves which were used as silkworm food. The authors conclude that these flavonoids may possibly be produced by the silkworm itself from some of the flavonoids contained in the mulberry leaves.