The effect of varieties on cotton wax as it relates to cotton quality parameters

Authors: Fortier, Chanel; Rodgers Iii, James

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The study of cotton wax is very important in the textile industry since it can affect dyeability and color uptake of cotton fibers. Thus, it is usually removed before dyeing. Also, cotton wax can affect cotton processing and subsequent cotton performance. Thus, cotton wax may be added back to the fiber to reduce friction among fibers. Cotton wax is a noncellulosic component of cotton fiber and its quantity can vary among varieties, crop year, weathering, and growing location. In this study, the percentage of cotton was tested for correlations with the High Volume Instrument (HVI) and metal ion content. The HVI did not show a direct correlation with the cotton wax. However, with future studies, a preliminary correlation may exist between cotton wax and metal ion content.

Technical Abstract: Cotton wax is one of the non-cellulosic components found on the surfaces of cotton. It is important in dyeing and processing quality. This investigation was carried out to study the yield of wax on the surface of cottons by performing two methods: Soxhlet extractions and accelerated solvent extractions (ASE). These methods were performed to separate the waxes from the sugars and other water-soluble compounds also found on cotton surfaces. The influence of variety and metal ion content were investigated. Cotton fiber properties were also investigated to probe the correlation of cotton wax with the High Volume Instrument (HVI) properties and metal ion content.