Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based biotyping of silk. I. Method development

SUMMARY A method for the analysis of silkworm ( Bombyx mori L.) cocoons and silk fibers was established using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This method was evaluated on the most popu-lar four-way cross hybrid race Kinshu × Showa and its parent races Kinshu and Showa . Most of the peaks observed in the peptide mass fingerprints of the Kinshu × Showa cocoon were from the parent races Kinshu and Showa . Simultaneous acid cleavage of silk fibers at room temperature is a characteristic phenomenon that has not been observed in spider silk and animal hair.