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Submitted to: Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives: Synthesis, Modification, and Applications
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 12/4/2014 Publication Date: 7/16/2015 Citation: Liu, Y. 2015. Rapid and routine assessment of cotton fiber cellulose maturity: current and future trends. Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives: Synthesis, Modification, and Applications. p. 17-25. Interpretive Summary: Cotton fiber consists of natural celluloses and the end-use qualities depend on the amount of cellulose component deposited. In practice, the term fiber maturity has been accepted to reflect the degree of cellulosic development or the secondary cell wall thickening of fibers. Current-in-use cotton maturity measurements include direct and indirect approaches, with each representing different aspect of fiber cellulose maturity. This Chapter outlines the usefulness and effectiveness of individual method in providing valuable fiber maturity information and also the latest advancement of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Cottonscope® technique as a complementary and viable fiber maturity measurement. Technical Abstract: Cotton fiber is a type of natural cellulose I and the end-use qualities depend on the amount of cellulose component deposited. The term fiber maturity has been used to describe the degree of cellulosic development or the secondary cell wall thickening of fibers. Useful information about fiber maturity is of value to cotton breeders and growers for cotton enhancement and to textile processors for quality control. Current-in-use cotton maturity measurements can be classified into direct and indirect means. The former group includes light / polarized light microscope based tests such as cross-sectional image analysis, while the latter group is represented by the automated instruments such as advanced fiber information system (AFIS) and high volume instrument (HVITM). The direct methods are relatively accurate and precise but are time-consuming and tedious, whereas the indirect methods depend on direct methods’ reference readings to calibrate the systems for procedures’ accuracy and performance. The latest advancement of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Cottonscope® technique offers a complementary measurement to current fiber maturity determination. This Chapter discusses these developments in the rapid and routine determination of cotton fiber cellulose maturity. |
