China's first strain of colorful silkworm cocoon to be "mass-produced"

China is the birthplace for the silk industry, creating a splendid silk culture and leaving bountiful silk resources for the whole world. However, most of the silk is white and silk with natural colors is extremely rare.

The research team led by Prof. CHEN Yuyin from ZJU’s College of Animal Sciences has finally cultivated China’s first strain of colorful silkworm cocoon—“Golden Autumn & Rising Sun” with over 10 years’ breeding. This practical strain had made its debut recently.

This strain of colorful cocoon is marked by its evenly large size, high output and satin texture. “Its defining features—naturalness, wholesomeness and eco-friendliness—cater for the currents of modern consumption,” CHEN Yuyin said.

“Natural colorful silk is blessed with a variety of exceptional traits because it contains multiple functional agents, such as carotenoids and flavonoids,” CHEN Yuyin added.

Image Credit：QING Shaoxiang