Polysaccharides Associated with Wood Cellulose

Abstract

This chapter discusses the polysaccharides associated with wood cellulose. Preparations of wood cellulose generally have a higher carboxyl-group content than has linters cellulose, and some of these carboxyl groups are believed to be present either as polyuronides or as occasional uronic anhydride moieties ill the cellulose chain or in associated polysaccharides. In certain preparations of cellulose, minor amounts of araban and galactan have been detected. Neither in wood nor in any wood cellulose preparation has it been established that the polysaccharides are homogeneous. The polysaccharides associated with cellulose in wood, or wood pulps, are often referred to as “polyoses.” Physicochemical methods of analysis that yield information concerning degree of polymerization (D.P.), chain-length distribution, and accessibility of wood cellulose have been brought to a high degree of precision and have proved their value. Chromatographic methods are now yielding detailed information regarding the organic chemistry of wood cellulose. It is anticipated that a combination of these methods will eventually provide important data on the molecular weight and distribution of the associated polysarcharides, as well as on the nature of the associative forces.