Chemical, compositional and structural characterisation of cotton fibers

Authors: Liu, Yongliang

Submitted to: Cotton Fibres: Characteristics, Uses and Performance
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2016
Publication Date: 4/2/2017
Citation: Liu, Y. 2017. Chemical, compositional and structural characterisation of cotton fibers. In: Gordon, S., Abidi, N., editors. Cotton Fibres: Characteristics, Uses and Performance. Hauppauge, New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. p. 3-19.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton is one of the most important and widely grown crops in the world, primarily for textile fiber purpose. Chemical, compositional, and structural differences within the fibers at different growth stages, as well as their physical properties and end-use qualities, have been investigated considerably over the years by diversified and comprehensive techniques. Such knowledge is of value to cotton breeders and growers for cotton enhancement and to textile processors for quality control. This chapter provides a general overview of chemical, compositional, and structural characterization of cotton fibers by diversified strategies, with the emphasis on the latest developments of utilizing Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy technique to investigate the fiber composition and structure for cotton physiology and breeding applications.

Technical Abstract: Cotton, one of the most important and widely grown crops in the world, is a well-traded agricultural commodity primarily for textile fiber purpose. It is a type of natural cellulose I (ß 1'4 linked glucose residues), and its growth or development is considered to include at least four overlapping but distinctive phases: initiation, primary wall formation (elongation), secondary cell wall thickening (cellulose synthesis), and maturation. Chemical, compositional, and structural differences within the fibers with different growths, as well as their physical properties and end-use qualities, have been investigated considerably over the years by diversified and comprehensive techniques. Such knowledge is of value to cotton breeders and growers for cotton enhancement and to textile processors for quality control. Clearly, current-in-use techniques and systems are acceptable in generating essential fiber structural and quality parameters from the standard laboratories to the processing sites. This chapter provides a general overview of chemical, compositional, and structural characterization of cotton fibers by diversified strategies, with the emphasis on the latest developments of utilizing Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy technique to investigate the fiber composition and structure for cotton physiology and breeding applications.