Cotton Wall Structure and Enzymatic Treatments

Abstract

The application of pectinases and cellulases dramatically improved cotton water absorbency. Microscopy observations, staining tests, water absorbency tests, fiber weight loss analysis and nitrogen content analysis were conducted on raw cotton, and chemically and biochemically treated cotton to both qualitatively and quantitatively determine the nature of changes in the surfaces of cotton caused by the enzymatic treatments. The cotton surface structure was modified by digestion of the pectins in cotton cuticle and the amorphous primary wall cellulose under the cuticle. The destruction of the hydrophobic cotton cuticle under mild enzymatic treatment conditions occurs simultaneously with achievement of adequate water absorbency of the cotton. More severe enzymatic treatments completely remove the cuticle from the cotton fiber surfaces.