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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Commodity Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #390904
Research Project: Development of Novel Cottonseed Products and Processes

Location: Commodity Utilization Research

Title: Preparation and characterization of xylan derivatives

Author
item Cheng, Huai
item Ford, Catrina
item He, Zhongqi
item Biswas, Atanu
item WU, QINGLIN - Louisiana State University

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2022
Publication Date: 5/1/2022
Citation: Cheng, H.N., Ford, C., He, Z., Biswas, A., Wu, Q. 2022. Preparation and characterization of xylan derivatives. In: Proceedings of the National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 4-6, 2022, San Antonio, Texas. p. 229-236.

Interpretive Summary: Xylan is a type of hemicellulose and is found widely in nature. However, it is under-utilized and under-valued as an agro-based material. In order to enhance its value, we carried out a number of reactions in the past several years and modified its structure. These included the formation of xylan ethers, xylan esters, hydrophobically modified xylan, xylan polyurethanes, and blends. Several new products were obtained as a result of these efforts, as documented in this review article. The information given in this article will be useful for people interested in the development of xylan-related products in the future.

Technical Abstract: Hemicellulose is a polysaccharide that is widely found in nature but is currently under-utilized and under-valued as a commercial raw material. It would be worthwhile to seek new uses for this material in order to enhance its value. A common type of hemicellulose is xylan, which is found in a number of wood species and in cotton. In this work, we reviewed several modification reactions that have been done with xylan. These include xylan ethers (e.g., cationic and anionic xylan derivatives) and their blends that can be added to paper to improve its strength. Xylan esters have also been made, particularly to render hydrophobic character to xylan, thereby imparting some surfactant properties to the polymer. The strength of hydrophobicity has been found to increase with the length of the alkyl chain. The reaction of xylan with a diisocyanate has produced a polyurethane, which may be used as a bioplastic. These various xylan derivatives increase the structural diversity of xylan and provide additional options for use in sustainable and eco-friendly product development efforts.