Microcrystalline Cellulose Content Research Articles

Optical, electrical, dielectric and mechanical properties of microcrystalline cellulose/starch based biocomposite films

Abstract In this work, we have synthesized biocomposite films based on starch reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with different MCC/starch weight contents (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 %). These films were characterized by various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), which showed dispersed and biocompatible structures for MCC and starch. It was found that the increase in MCC content (from 0 to 7 wt%) led to decreasing the water solubility, and reducing the absorption coefficients, transmission percentages and electrical conductivity. However, the improvement of dielectric and mechanical properties was demonstrated by decreasing the dielectric loss tangent and increasing the Young’s modulus, respectively making them suitable for dielectric and mechanical applications.

Charge transport properties and photostability of microcrystalline cellulose derived from Gigantochloa scortechinii-supported ZnO for enhanced acetaminophen degradation

A facile chemical mixing procedure was utilized to fabricate microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) derived from Gigantochloa scortechinii-supported ZnO photocatalysts, with different MCC content. The successful incorporation of ZnO onto the MCC surfaces was characterized by multitudinous characterization techniques. The photocatalytic evaluation studies were carried out under a very low UVC light intensity (9 W) against acetaminophen (ACE) in the aqueous solution. The MCC-supported ZnO (0.5:1) composites photocatalyst demonstrated a rapid and enhanced performance within 180 min under normal conditions, with a two-time higher value of rate constant k (1.12 ×10−2 min−1) as compared to pristine ZnO. The improved efficiency under UVC irradiation was associated with the excellent separation capability of photoexcited charge carriers, ease of electron migration, and electrons’ mediators by the MCC in the composite photocatalyst, as demonstrated by the band gap and photoluminescence analyses. The major reactive species were found to be hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and photoexcited holes (h+). The best photocatalyst has high photostability since it can be recycled up to five times towards ACE degradation without any regeneration step.

Optimizing the Dielectric and Mechanical Performance of 3D-Printed Cellulose-Based Biocomposites and Bionanocomposites through Factorial Design for Electrical Insulation Application.

Materials for low-permittivity and electrical insulation applications need to be re-engineered to achieve sustainable development. To address this challenge, the proposed study focused on the dielectric and mechanical optimization of 3D-printed cellulose-based composites for electrical insulation applications. Two different fillers, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), were used to create biocomposites and bionanocomposites, respectively, blended into a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. The effects of infill ratio, printing temperature, and filler content on dielectric and mechanical properties were measured using an incomplete L9 (3^3) factorial design. The findings showed that the infill ratio was the most significant factor influencing the properties tested, directly attributable to the increase in material availability for polarization and mechanical performance. The second most influential factor was the filler content, increasing the polarity of the tested composites and decreasing the toughness of the biocomposites and bionanocomposites. Finally, printing temperature had no significant effect. Results for the biocomposites at a 50% infill ratio, 200 °C printing temperature, and a weight content of MCC of 15% gave a 60% higher tensile-mode stiffness than neat PLA printed under the same conditions, while exhibiting lower dielectric properties than neat PLA printed with a 100% infill ratio. These results pave the way for new lightweight materials for electrical insulation.

Study of Biocomposite Films Based on Cassava Starch and Microcrystalline Cellulose Derived from Cassava Pulp for Potential Medical Packaging Applications

This study aimed to develop biocomposite films based on cassava starch and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) derived from cassava pulp for potential medical packaging applications. MCC was extracted from cassava pulp, and its structure and chemical composition, crystallinity, and thermal properties were characterized. The MCC showed a yield of 14.92% and crystallinity of 46.91%. Different MCC contents (1%, 3%, and 5% w/w of starch) were incorporated into cassava starch films. The effects of MCC contents on film properties, including morphology, thickness, mechanical strength, chemical interactions, moisture content, surface wettability, and water activity index, were studied. The effects of UV-C sterilization on the disinfection of starch/MCC on film properties were determined. Results showed that all starch/MCC films exhibited good transparency and thickness ranging from 127 to 144 µm. As MCC content increased from 1 to 5%, Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the films improved significantly from 112.12 to 488.89 MPa and 3.21 to 11.18 MPa, respectively, while elongation at break decreased from 44.74 to 4.15%. Incorporating MCC also reduced film surface wettability, with the water contact angle increasing from 69.17° to 102.82°. The starch/3%MCC holds promise as a biocomposite film for medical packaging applications, offering advantages in terms of good transparency, mechanical properties, and surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the absence of microbial growth in the sterilized gauze pad with sealing in the sterilized starch/3%MCC film confirms that the UV-C sterilization, 30 min for each side at 254 nm effectively eliminated any microorganisms present on the starch/3%MCC film without damaging the film properties. This finding highlights a reliable approach to ensuring the sterility of starch/MCC films for medical packaging applications.

Optimization of toothtablets incorporating Albizia myriophylla Benth. stem extract obtained by eco-friendly microwave-assisted extraction

Albizia myriophylla Benth. stems are composed of the bioactive compound lupinifolin, which has exhibited anti-Streptococcus mutans activity. Extracting this plant for incorporation into oral healthcare products is challenging. This study aimed to optimize the eco-friendly microwave-assisted extraction of A. myriophylla stems. It also optimized toothtablets incorporating A. myriophylla stem extract. First, lupinifolin was isolated, and its structure was determined for use as a biomarker in this study. Next, three extraction parameters—the solvent-to-solid ratio, microwave power, and microwave time—were screened using a one-factor-at-a-time approach before being optimized using a Box–Behnken design. The results showed that the optimized conditions that maximized the extraction yield and lupinifolin content were a solvent-to-solid ratio of 23:1, microwave power of 800 W, and microwave time of 70 s. This extract contained 16.27 ± 0.43 % lupinifolin. The extract exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration of 32 μg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration of 256 μg/mL. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration with human gingival fibroblast cells was 102.70 ± 1.02 μg/mL for the extract and 76.75 ± 1.03 μg/mL for lupinifolin. The extract was solidified using microcrystalline cellulose and colloidal silicon dioxide before being incorporated into the toothtablet formulation. Three factors in toothtablet production—compression force, microcrystalline cellulose content, and hydrated silica content—were also screened using a one-factor-at-a-time approach before being optimized using a Box–Behnken design. The results showed that the optimized conditions that approached the desired properties were a compression force of 2500 psi, microcrystalline cellulose content of 12 %, and hydrated silica content of 10 %. The developed toothtablets contained 35.64 ± 0.45 mg of lupinifolin per 650 mg toothtablet (or approximately 5.5 % lupinifolin per toothtablet) and retained their anti-S. mutans activity. They appeared safe for human gingival fibroblasts, even when treated for 2 min, with a maximum concentration of 2000 μg/mL. In conclusion, the developed toothtablets incorporating A. myriophylla stem extract can potentially serve as a high-quality, antibacterial, and safe alternative to traditional toothpaste.

The Effects of Microcrystalline Cellulose Addition on the Properties of Wood-PLA Filaments for 3D Printing.

This paper describes the use of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as an additive in wood-polylactic acid (PLA) filaments suitable for 3D printing. Filaments prepared with PLA, thermally modified (TM) wood, and three different MCC loadings (1, 3, and 5 wt%) by two-step melt blending in the extruder were characterized with respect to their rheological, thermal, and mechanical response. The analyses demonstrate that a low MCC content (1%) improves the mobility of the polymer chains and contributes to a higher elasticity of the matrix chain, a higher crystallinity, a lower glass transition temperature (by 1.66 °C), and a lower melting temperature (by 1.31 °C) and leads to a higher tensile strength (1.2%) and a higher modulus of elasticity (12.1%). Higher MCC loading hinders the mobility of the polymer matrix and leads to a rearrangement of the crystal lattice structure, resulting in a decrease in crystallinity. Scanning electron micrographs show that the cellulose is well distributed and dispersed in the PLA matrix, with some agglomeration occurring at higher MCC levels. The main objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a filament containing an optimal amount of MCC to improve compatibility between wood and PLA, optimize melt processability, and improve mechanical properties. It can be concluded that a 1% addition of MCC favorably changes the properties of the wood-PLA filaments, while a higher MCC content does not have this effect.

Synthesis of LaNiCeO2 Mixed Oxide with Various Microcrystalline Cellulose Templated for Deoxygenation of Waste Cooking Oil

The synthesis of LaNiCeO2 mixed oxides utilizing varying proportions of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) (12.5%, 25%, and 37.5%) has been successfully achieved. The resulting materials were characterized through XRD, FESEM, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, and TGA- DTG. XRD analysis confirmed that all synthesized LaNiCeO2 mixed oxides exhibited a stable CeO2 phase. Notably, increasing the MCC content led to an improvement in the catalysts’ pore volume and surface area, with the LaNiCeO2-12.5% MCC sample exhibiting a primarily mesoporous structure and minimal micropore contribution. The LaNiCeO2-25% MCC catalyst demonstrated optimal physicochemical properties, indicating its high suitability for catalytic applications. The catalytic deoxygenation of waste cooking oil (WCO) was carried out in a semi-batch reactor at 380 °C for a duration of 4 hours, with a catalyst loading set at 1% of the WCO’s weight. The LaNiCeO2-12.5% MCC catalyst exhibited exceptional deoxygenation activity, achieving a 100% conversion, a liquid product yield of 45%, and hydrocarbon selectivity of 98%. The excellent catalytic performance is due to the synergistic interaction between Ni, Ce, and La metals, combined with improved properties that promote the deoxygenation reaction. These results highlight the potential of LaNiCeO2 as an effective catalyst for biofuel production.

Drying capacity of a continuous vibrated fluid bed dryer – Statistical and mechanistic model development

The drying capacity of a continuous vibrated fluid bed dryer was studied using a DoE by varying microcrystalline cellulose content in the formulation, water amount in the twin-screw granulation, inlet air temperature, air flow rate and the acceleration of the horizontal fluid-bed. Temperature and humidity profiles were measured along the dryer using wireless sensors. For the parameter space explored in this study, acceleration was the most influential process parameter of the dryer regarding the resulting granule moisture content. An empirical model was developed that allowed for fast and accurate moisture content prediction that could be incorporated into an enhanced control strategy. In addition, a mechanistic model was formulated that allow for prediction of temperature and moisture profiles, and most importantly the moisture content of the granules inside the dryer. The mechanistic model can be integrated to other unit operation models to provide overall understanding of an integrated continuous process line. The mechanistic model also makes it possible to define the equipment design requirements (e.g., length of the dryer) to meet the specific needs in terms of drying capacity, temperature and moisture profile.

Effect of microcrystalline cellulose on rheology, hydration kinetics and early-age properties of Portland cement-based and alkali-activated slag-fly ash blend

The research examines the influence of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) on the evolution of rheological behaviour, micro-structural build-up, hydration kinetics and early-age strength (up to seven days) of OPC and AAM matrices subject to dry and sealed curing. Rheological measurements show that the addition of MCC improves recoverability of viscosity and thixotropy of OPC-based matrices. While viscosities of MCC-OPC matrices increase with relatively low change in yield stress, MCC- AAM shows drastic increase in yield stress, up to 2.2 folds within 15 min, due to an increase in MCC content from 0.25% to 1%. This is attributed to gelation and swelling of MCC in NaOH. Hydration kinetics of MCC-OPC in the first 24 h is severely retarded with increase in MCC dosage (about 5.3 h for 1% MCC), while that of AAM is less sensitive to MCC dosage, attributed to rupture of hydrogen bonds in MCC after exposure to NaOH. The findings also show that addition of MCC reduces the heat evolution of AAM after seven days of hydration, due to its suppressing effect on fly ash dissolution. Early-age compressive strength of MCC-OPC reduces with increase in MCC content, registering a maximum reduction of 21% at 1% MCC dosage. Compressive strength of MCC-based AAM is less sensitive to curing conditions and the dosage of MCC than OPC-based matrices. The findings suggest that MCC can be a potential admixture for modifying rheology and hardening of OPC and AAM matrices, while providing an avenue for upcycling cotton textile and biomass wastes.

Effect of co-processed excipient type on properties of orodispersible tablets containing captopril, tramadol, and domperidone

An important feature of orodispersible tablets (ODTs) is the convenient administration of the drugs, in some cases, faster onset of action, stability maintenance, and dose precision. This work focused on the preparation of ODTs containing mannitol-based co-processed excipients Prosolv® ODT G2, Ludiflash® and Parteck® ODT in combination with tramadol, captopril, and domperidone by direct compression.Prosolv® ODT G2 showed high energy of plastic deformation due to the content of microcrystalline cellulose. Parteck® ODT provided compact tablets due to the content of granulated mannitol. All drugs decreased tensile strength, increased friability, prolonged disintegration time, and decreased the porosity of tablets. Tablets containing Prosolv® ODT G2 with captopril, domperidone, and tramadol; and Parteck® ODT with domperidone met the requirements for ODTs production, i.e., friability ≤ 1% and disintegration time ≤ 180 s, fast wetting time, high water absorption ratio, and adequate tensile strength. The disintegration time was tested using both the pharmacopeial method and the BJKSN-13 apparatus. The results indicate the significant difference between these methods, with the disintegration time being longer when tested with the BJKSN-13 instrument.

A new method for determination of lignocellulose crystallinity from XRD data using NMR calibration

A new method was proposed which allowed more accurate crystallinity results for lignocellulose comparing to conventional calculation models. The method is based on the estimation of the changing rate of the XRD intensity I = f(2θ) over the entire range of scattering angles. Pure crystalline and amorphous cellulose were used as calibration samples, since cellulose crystallinity can be easily determined by 13C CP/MAS NMR. The method was successfully applied to three types of plant biomass model mixtures, such as a mixture of birch xylem with micro crystalline cellulose, a mixture of birch xylem with alkaline sulfate lignin, and a mixture of alkaline sulfate lignin with microcrystalline cellulose. The obtained crystallinity depended linearly on the content of microcrystalline cellulose in the sample. The proposed equation can be used to calculate the crystallinity degree of lignocelluloses, as well as any lignocellulose materials.

Study on the Preparation and Properties of Jute Microcrystalline Cellulose Membrane

The preparation and performance control of the cellulose membrane are one of the hot topics in the environmentally friendly separation membrane field. In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was prepared by microwave-assisted acidic hydrolysis of cellulose obtained from jute, followed by the use of a mixture of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide and water as a solvent to obtain the homogeneous casting liquid, which was scraped and subsequently immersed in the coagulation bath to form a smooth and dense cellulose membrane. During membrane formation, the crystal structure of MCC changed from type I to type II, but the chemical structure remained unchanged. The mechanical strength and separation performance of the membrane were related to the content of MCC in the casting liquid. When the content of MCC was about 7%, the tensile strength of the membrane reached a maximum value of 13.49 MPa, and the corresponding elongation at break was 68.12%. The water flux (J) and rejection rate (R) for the bovine serum albumin were 19.51 L/(m2·h) and 95.37%, respectively, under an optimized pressure of 0.2 MPa. In addition, the coagulation bath had a significant effect on the membrane separation performance, and J and R were positively and negatively correlated with the polarity of the coagulation bath. Among them, it was note-worthy that J and R of membrane formed in ethanol were 33.95 L/(m2·h) and 91.43%, separately. Compared with water as a coagulation bath, J was increased by 74% at the situation and R was roughly equivalent, showing better separation performance. More importantly, the relationship between the structure and separation performances has also been studied preliminarily. This work provides certain guidance for the preparation of high-performance MCC membranes.

Heterogeneous Epoxidation of Microcrystalline Cellulose and the Toughening Effect toward Epoxy Resin

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is regarded as a potential filler in the fabrication of epoxy composites. However, MCC’s hydrophilic nature and strong hydrogen bonds caused by abundant surface hydroxyl groups greatly weaken its compatibility with the epoxy resin. In addition, it remains a challenge to efficiently and heterogeneously modify MCC surface hydroxyl groups. In this work, MCC was epoxidized heterogeneously with a phase-transfer catalyst. Results indicated that 4.48% (by mass) or 58.15% (by coverage) of the hydroxyl groups on MCC was modified. The dispersibility of epoxidized MCC (EP-MCC) in the epoxy resin was significantly improved. At the same time, EP-MCC showed the ability to interact with the epoxy network covalently, improving the interface interactions, indicating the simultaneous enhancement of the modulus and the toughness. As a result, this heterogenous epoxidation method showed high efficiency in reducing the surface hydroxyl content of MCC, endowing it with a bright future in industrial applications of epoxy composites.

Preparation and aggregate structure of polyacrylonitrile and microcrystalline cellulose hygroscopic thermal composite fibers

AbstractHygroscopic thermal fibers are a kind of functional material that makes use of moisture to generate heat for fabrics. In this work, composite fibers of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with various compositions were prepared using a solution spinning method. Besides the promotion of mechanical properties of PAN by addition of cellulose reported in previous research, this study focused on the hygroscopic thermal property of blends and spun fibers of PAN and cellulose. The content of MCC in the composite fibers has a significant effect on the hygroscopic thermal property. At a temperature of 17 °C and humidity of 90%, the maximum temperature increase of composite fibers could reach 4.9 °C. The composite fibers exhibited an obvious temperature response of on–off humidity circulation during testing. The breaking strength of the composite fibers was higher than 100 MPa. The influence of addition of cellulose on morphology, especially on the crystallinity and lateral size of PAN microfibrils, and the relationship between the morphology and hygroscopic thermal property were investigated by means of wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and small‐angle X‐ray scattering in terms of experiment and theory. A smaller lateral size of microfibril led to a better hydroscopic thermal property. The composite fibers were expected to be used in temperature regulation clothing. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.

Effect of Microcrystalline Cellulose on the Properties of PBAT/Thermoplastic Starch Biodegradable Film with Chain Extender.

Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a fully biodegradable polymer with toughness and ductility. It is usually compounded with thermoplastic starch (TPS) to balance the cost for manufacturing biodegradable films such as disposable plastic bags. However, blending with TPS reduces valuable tensile strength, which limits the bearing capacity of PBAT film. In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was employed as a reinforcement to strengthen the PBAT/TPS biodegradable film. The effect of MCC content on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the composite film were investigated. The optimal tensile strength and elongation at break reached 5.08 MPa and 230% when 4% MCC was added. The thermal stability and thermal resistance were improved with the addition of MCC; for example, Tmax increased by 1 °C and Tonset increased by 2-8 °C. Moreover, good compatibility among PBAT, TPS, and MCC can be achieved when the MCC content was below 6%. Consequently, the optimal MCC content was found to be 4%. These results could provide experimental data and method support for preparing high-performance PBAT hybrid films.

Selected Properties of Bio-Based Layered Hybrid Composites with Biopolymer Blends for Structural Applications.

In this study, layered composites were produced with different biopolymer adhesive layers, including biopolymer polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and biopolymer blends of PLA + polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) (75:25 w/w ratio) with the addition of 25, 50% microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and 3% triethyl Citrate (TEC) for these blends, which acted as binders and co-created the five layers in the elaborated composites. Modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bonding strength (IB), density profile, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were obtained. The results showed that among the composites in which two pure biopolymers were used, PLA obtained the best results, while among the produced blends, PLA + PHB, PLA + PHB + 25MCC, and PLA + PHB + 25MCC + 3TEC performed best. The mechanical properties of the composites decreased with increases in the MCC content in blends. Therefore, adding 3% TEC improved the properties of composites made of PLA + PHB + MCC blends.

Extraction of Microcrystalline Cellulose and Silica from Agriculture Waste and Its Application in Synthesis of Wheat Gluten and Fish Scales Derived Bioplastic.

Plastics play a significant part in human life and the world we live in. The use of plastics results in detrimental effects on the natural world, which compels us to look for viable replacements. As a result of their enhanced capacity to biodegrade, bioplastics are becoming increasingly important materials. In recent years, there has been a rapid ascent in the utilization of biopolymers in various applications. The objective of this research is to investigate the impact that silica obtained from rice hull ash (RHA) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) obtained from groundnut husk have on the properties of bioplastic obtained from wheat gluten and fish scales. The usage of fish scales has been shown to have a positive effect on weight reduction and debasement rates. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is utilized in a wide range of concentrations, and the influence of MCC on bioplastic is researched. The biodegradability tests of bioplastic revealed that the plastic lost 35% of its weight in just 14 days. The experiments that were done to evaluate the chemical stability and tensile strength of the bioplastic indicated that the MCC content has a significant effect in improving the characteristics of the material.

Effect of microcrystalline cellulose on the preparation and performance of rigid polyurethane foam

In order to study the effect of microcrystalline cellulose on the reaction kinetics of polyurethane, in this work, the multi-scale microcrystalline cellulose was added to the foaming system of multifunctional polyether and multifunctional MDI polyurethane. While the chemical reaction was carried out, it was found through in situ FTIR combined with in situ rheological analysis that what was different from the usual inorganic fillers, the hydroxyl on the surface of the microcrystalline cellulose could preferentially react with MDI to generate urethane under the action of the catalyst. In the initial 5–6 min of the reaction, the reaction of soft segment chain growth was the main reaction. Then the main reaction quickly converted to the cross-linking reaction, which greatly increased the viscosity of the system. The addition of microcrystalline celluloses accelerated the improvement of the cross-linking degree and viscosity of the system. The higher the surface hydroxyl content of microcrystalline cellulose, the more significant this trend become. In addition, although the amount of microcrystalline cellulose added was different, the ratio of the reaction rate of the isocyanate group with the hydroxyl group and the amine group eventually tended to be constant, which indicated that there was a stable reactivity rate in the gradual addition reaction during the cross-linking reaction. Combined with SEM analysis, it was found that 25–60 μm microcrystalline cellulose with large hydroxyl content could act as a nucleating agent when the addition amount was less than 0.1%, which was beneficial to increase the cell density and reduce the pore size and improved the impact performance of the foam. The microcrystalline cellulose with a length of more than 90 μm continuously penetrated through several cell walls and destroyed integrity of the cell structure, which would consequently reduce the impact strength of the foam. This paper provided theoretical guidance for polyurethane modified by microcrystalline cellulose.

Performance of polylactic acid/polycaprolactone/microcrystalline cellulose biocomposites with different filler contents and maleic anhydride compatibilization

AbstractIn this study, polylactic acid (PLA)/polycaprolactone (PCL)/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) composites and PLA/PCL/MCC composite compatibilized by the maleic anhydride (MA) copolymer were prepared via two‐screw extrusion technology. The mechanical results showed that the strength and break elongation of the ternary composites are decreased with the increase in the MCC contents. After the grafting copolymer was added, due to the better compatibility between the components of the composite, the strength and break elongation of the composite are significantly improved compared with that of ungrafted composite. According to the conducted differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, the crystallinity of the PLA/PCL/MCC composites is increased with the increase in the MCC content, and the crystallinity of the grafted composites is higher. In addition, the 3D printed PLA/PLAma/PCL/5MCC composite exhibits good biocompatibility and adhesion with MCF‐7 cells, thus indicating its bright application prospects as a biomaterial scaffold material in tissue engineering.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals the regulation network for fiber strength in cotton.

Determine the effect of secondary cell wall (SCW) thickness and microcrystalline cellulose content (MCC) on mature fiber strength (FS) and reveal through comparative transcriptome analysis the molecular regulation network governing FS in cotton. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis of two parent varieties, Prema with elite FS and 86-1 with weak fiber, revealed significant difference in the SCW but not in MCC. Transcriptome analysis revealed that genes differentially expressed during SCW thickening (20 DPA) are highly related to FS; in particular, up-regulated genes such as UDPG, CESA2, and NAC83 were important in SCW thickening, likely contributing to higher FS. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed the common up-regulated genes to be enriched in carbon metabolism and terms relating to the cell wall. We developed two recombinant inbred lines with elite FS, selected from the filial generation of Prema and 86-1. By comparing transcriptomic data, we revealed the gene expression network governing SCW thickness in mature fiber. Our results provide solid insights into the relationship of the SCW and FS.