Trends in Development and Utilization of Sericulture Resources for Diversification and Value Addition

Abstract

Sericulture is an activity where every part can be used for multiple purposes. Sericulture implies significant quantities of secondary and waste products such as perforated silk cocoons, Bombyx mori chrysalides, bedding left-over larval dejections and mulberry plant waste, superseded cocoons, surplus mulberry leaf, root and wood biomass, mulberry fruits, mulberry root biomass etc. Therefore, sericulture to produce only silk fabric can now be transformed into the functional industry by applying appropriate methods in processing the secondary and waste products from sericulture, which can double or even triple the farmers’ income dramatically as obtained from the main activity of silk cocoon production. Thus, in order to ensure a profitable sericulture activity, it is necessary to process these secondary and waste products generated from different sericulture activities to obtain biologically active substances with important uses in: pharmaceutical, cosmetic, paper and cellulose, and organic agricultural food industries. Realizing the scope of utilizing by-products generated from different sericulture activities, in-depth research towards utility optimization is the prime need in placing the sericulture industry on a sound footing. The review is intended to focus on recent advances in comprehensive utilization, diversification and value addition of sericulture resources in broadening the sustainability of sericulture industry.