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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Structure and Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #290708

Title: Measurements of cotton fiber maturity and fineness: method comparisons and fiber growth analyses

Author
item Rodgers Iii, James
item Delhom, Christopher - Chris
item Hinchliffe, Doug
item Kim, Hee-Jin

Submitted to: American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists Abstracts
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2013
Publication Date: 4/2/2013
Citation: Rodgers III, J.E., Delhom, C.D., Hinchliffe, D.J., Kim, H.J. 2013. Measurements of cotton fiber maturity and fineness: method comparisons and fiber growth analyses. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists Abstracts. p. 283-289.

Interpretive Summary: Maturity (degree of fiber development) and fineness (fiber size) are important cotton fiber quality and processing properties. Most maturity and fineness measurements are slow, laborious, require chemicals, and/or require expensive instruments. The Cottonscope is a small-footprint instrument that measures maturity and fineness in water using polarized light microscopy and image analysis. Cottonscope measurements were rapid, precise, accurate, and easy to perform. The Cottonscope results were compared to other maturity and fineness techniques. Very good agreement was observed between the Cottonscope and the other techniques and to micronaire. Operational and environmental impacts were studied. Cottonscope average and distribution measurements have also been used on developing and mature fibers to monitor cell wall development and fiber growth parameters.

Technical Abstract: Maturity (degree of secondary wall development) and fineness (linear density) are important cotton fiber quality and processing properties. Most maturity and fineness measurements are slow, laborious, require chemicals, and/or require expensive instruments. The Cottonscope is a small-footprint instrument that measures maturity and fineness in water using polarized light microscopy and image analysis. Cottonscope measurements were rapid, precise, accurate, and easy to perform. The Cottonscope results were compared to other maturity and fineness techniques. Very good agreement was observed between the Cottonscope and the other techniques and to HVI micronaire. Operational and environmental impacts were studied. Cottonscope average and distribution measurements have also been used on developing and mature fibers to monitor cell wall development and fiber growth parameters.