Figure 5
Studying electrical properties of SCM using standard device.
(a) Average current recording obtained from Bombyx mori SCM under five different conditions (dry cocoon, moist cocoon, cocoon exposed to water vapor, cocoon sample treated with EDTA so as to di-mineralize the sample and exposed to water vapor, cocoon doped with NaCl and exposed to water vapor). The current traces shown for each condition is the average of 6 trials using six different SCM. In dry state current is negligible, as the SCM is moistened current value increased drastically. Exposing the cocoon to water vapor further increased the current value. There is a lowering of current value in demineralized cocoon. Maximum current values could be seen in the NaCl doped SCM exposed to water vapor. (b) Average voltage recording obtained from Bombyx mori SCM under five different conditions (as mentioned above). The voltage traces shown for each condition is the average of 6 trials using six different SCM. Voltage reading is negligible in dry state as compared to moist SCM. (c) Average current recording obtained from Antheraea mylitta SCM under five different conditions as mentioned previously. A similar current pattern as described for Bombyx mori is observed in Antheraea mylitta SCM. (d) Same pattern of voltage reading could be seen in Antheraea mylitta.
