Author
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Gamble, Gary |
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Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2009 Publication Date: 9/15/2009 Citation: Gamble, G.R. 2009. Regional, varietal, and crop year variations of metal contents associated with the separate structural components of upland cotton (gossypium hirsutum) fiber. Journal of Cotton Science. 13:221-226. Interpretive Summary: The presence of metal ions in cotton fiber is well documented, though little information exists as to their distribution among the various structural components of the fiber. This type of information should be useful to textile manufacturers along the various points of the processing chain from growers to yarn processors to textile dyeing and finishing operations. In the current study, two varieties of cotton were grown in three growing locations within the U.S. cotton belt over two consecutive crop years. The samples were analyzed for metals from different structural components of the fiber, with the results indicating that these structural components exhibit different metal profiles, and that these metal contents are affected by environmental conditions during growth and by fiber maturity. Technical Abstract: Though the presence of metal cations in raw cotton fiber has been well documented in previous studies, little information exists in the literature regarding the relative proportions of these metals in or on the different structural components of the fiber. Such information may prove useful in attempts to increase the processing efficiency of the various stages involved in the conversion of lint into finished fabric. The purpose of current study is twofold: (1) attempt to delineate the relative proportions of 8 different metals present as water soluble salts on the surfaces of the fiber, as crosslinking agents within the pectin component of the fiber, and as complexed cations within the cellulose matrix, and (2) determine differences in metal contents due to regional, varietal, or environmental effects. Two cotton varieties were grown in three growing locations across the cotton belt over two consecutive crop years. Each of the 12 samples were subjected to water extraction, scouring, and finally acid digestion, with the three solutions subsequently analyzed for metal content. Results indicate that different metal profiles exist in the different structural components of the fiber, and that these metal contents may be affected by environmental conditions and fiber maturity. |
