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The silkworm (Bombyx mori) produces its cocoon of silk fiber which is made up of two proteins: fibroin, which is the core of the fiber, and sericin, which is the gum that coats the fiber. The gum is the glue that holds the fibers together to form a cocoon.

For the production of fabric, the sericin-coated fiber is called raw silk. The sericin is removed either at the yarn- or the fabric-making stage.