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Title: FIBERNODES IN FLAX AND OTHER BAST FIBERS

Author
item KHALILI, SADIA - ROYAL INST - SWEDEN
item Akin, Danny
item PETTERSSON, BERT - STFI- SWEDEN
item HENRIKSSON, GUNNAR - ROYAL INST - SWEDEN

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Botany
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2002
Publication Date: 7/15/2002
Citation: KHALILI, S., AKIN, D.E., PETTERSSON, B., HENRIKSSON, G. FIBERNODES IN FLAX AND OTHER BAST FIBERS. Journal of Applied Botany. 2002. v. 76. p. 133-138.

Interpretive Summary: New methods of retting flax and other bast fibers could improve the efficiency of these plants for new uses and new bio-based products. Fundamental studies on the structure of bast fibers are required to optimize use of enzymes for these new retting methods. Researchers in ARS combined work on flax with work by Swedish universities on flax and other fibers to report structural features that influenced properties of processed fibers. Results are important to help define fiber structures and elucidate factors that will help optimize new processing methods for flax fibers.

Technical Abstract: Fibernodes in flax, hemp, and stinging nettle fibers were studied uing light microscopy. The fibers were prepared both mechanically and chemically. The observations showed that flax, hemp, and stinging nettle fibers carry numerous unevenly distributed disturbances that we name "fibernodes", visible as single or double lines in ca 60-90 percent angles from the fiber direction. Fibernodes were not present on the see hair fibers of cotton or kapok. This structure represents a "weak point" in pulling, at least for flax fiber. The fibernodes in flax were highly affected by cellulases, while these enzymes did not visually affect cotton fibers. Pectinases and xylanases had no detectable effect on fibernodes. The fibernodes in hemp seemed to be more resistant to cellulase than in flax. The high sensitivity of fibernodes in flax indicates that cellulase should be avoided in any enzymatic retting process of flax, since this will be harmful for the strength of the fibers.