Sticky Cotton Research Articles

Enzymatic easing of adhesion in honeydew-contaminated cotton for textile applications

Purpose The textile sector struggles with cotton stickiness from honeydew contamination. It hurts agriculture and marketability. This study aims to examine how bacterial enzymes could reduce honeydew-contaminated cotton adherence in textile businesses sustainably. Design/methodology/approach Enzyme was extracted from bacteria isolated from the fermented bamboo shoots “Lung siej”. The enzyme was tested for α-glucosidase using p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside as a substrate. Design of experiments determined enzyme activity temperature and reaction time. Laboratory-prepared artificial honeydew was added to ginning mill cotton to show honeydew contamination. After enzyme treatment, sticky cotton was tested for microscopic examination, ultraviolet (UV), Benedict’s, Elsner colorimetric, high volume instrument (HVI) and viscosity tests. Findings The bacterial isolate is characterized as Lysinibacillus sp. as confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The enzyme extracted was identified as α-glucosidase. The ideal temperature and reaction time for enzymatic activity were 32 °C and 35 min, respectively, using central composite design. The microscopic examination, UV test, Benedict’s test, Elsner colorimetric test, HVI test and viscosity test showed that bacterial enzyme treatment reduced cotton fiber adherence. Originality/value Although few patents have examined the effect of yeast enzymes, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, a bacterial enzyme is investigated for the first time to reduce the adhesion of honeydew-contaminated cotton.

Investigation of Ethiopian Cotton Fiber Stickiness. Part 1 – Northern Part

ABSTRACT Cotton is the most important natural textile fiber in the world used to produce apparel, home furnishings and industrial products. However, in the last decades cotton stickiness has become a very serious problem caused by excess sugars on the lint, either from the plant itself or from insects and it is a challenge for cotton growers, ginners, and spinners. It affects the processing efficiency as well as the quality of the product. Ethiopian textile industries are facing this problem every season and not solved it yet. In this article, the Ethiopian northern region cotton stickiness properties have been characterized and their spinning risk probability identified. The stickiness was measured for hand and roller ginned cotton fiber using sticky cotton thermo-detector (SCT), high-speed stickiness detector (CONTEST-S), high volume instrument method (CONTEST-F) and colorimetric method according to ES ISO 12027:2013 and UNI EN 14278–3 standard methods. The statistical analysis of test results showed that the studied locations’ cotton fiber stickiness properties significantly change in SCT, CONTES-S and CONTEST-F methods at P-values of 0.0423, 0.003 and 0.008, respectively. The cotton stickiness has slightly reduced after the roller ginning process compared to hand ginning. Metema and Humera’s cotton fiber have a better stickiness property than other northern areas. Generally, nine northern parts of Ethiopian cotton fiber stickiness resulted in a ‘No Risk’ class ‘Low Risk’ spinning risk probability grade.

Taguchi approach for analyzing the impact of varying degrees of cotton stickiness on ring-spun yarn quality

This research aimed to study the effect of cotton stickiness in quality of ring-spun yarn, the effect of blending sticky with nonsticky cotton, and optimize the spinning process based on Taguchi experiment design technique. Nine experiments were performed with respect to the L9 orthogonal design. Taguchi method was utilized to find the sequence of dominant factors contributing to ring-spun yarn quality. The study showed that a slight and nonsignificant, negative effect on the coefficient of variation in mass of carded sliver, first and second drawn sliver. When considering the roving frame, the coefficient of variation in mass of roving was significantly increased with the increase in the stickiness level and the percentage of sticky cotton in the blends. In actual spinning, the quality of ring-spun yarn is susceptible to stickiness. The study concluded that the dominant factor contributing to the most quality characteristics of ring-spun yarn was cotton stickiness level .The study showed that the optimum condition for the blending ratio of sticky with nonsticky cotton was found to be 25 and 75%, respectively. The results showed a considerable improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio as compared to the initial conditions.

Combining ability of upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., with traits associated with sticky fiber

Sticky cotton causes severe processing problems at textile mills and can be caused by plant sugars deposited directly from the plant to the lint in the absence of insects. A partial diallel design was used to investigate the combining ability of six upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., genotypes in Lubbock, Texas. Sucrose and glucose on fibers were measured as well as more mechanical fiber properties including stickiness ratings. Variance component analysis indicated significant differences among genotypes for all fiber traits and for sugar content. The greatest differentiation occurred in samples taken from more immature fruiting forms. Moreover, significant GCA and SCA differences were determined among parental lines for fiber traits including stickiness ratings. Findings suggest that breeding efforts could be directed toward lines with a low likelihood of producing sticky cotton.

The Use of Two-Dimensional Correlation Spectroscopy to Characterise the Differences in Research Grade Instruments

The major question about the newer instruments is “are they more capable than the instruments we have been using for decades”? In looking for a way to examine the utility of commercial instrumentation capable of performing the measurement of stickiness in cotton, a method was required for evaluating the way these instruments performed compared with the research grade spectrometer which was first successfully used to measure stickiness. While all of the instruments had the potential analytical capability of measuring sticky cotton, all would require even more costly hardening to be used in a cotton gin or spinning plant. Regardless, the calibration would need to be transferred to any of these new instruments. While there are existing algorithms to do this, it is imperative to understand the differences between instrument platforms. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS) has been used to characterise instrumental differences which will affect performance, stability and reliability. The 2DCOS programs were re-written in Matlab ver. 6.51 to provide a common format with the newer instruments and the special purpose instruments which utilise Matlab for data functions. The instruments used in the complete calibration studies of sticky cotton were evaluated for their instrument function parameters. The possibilities for using 2DCOS for instrument characterisation was explored in concert with available spectral technologies.

The use of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy to characterize instrumental differences

In looking for a way to examine the utility of commercial instrumentation capable of performing the measurement of stickiness in cotton, a means of evaluating the way these nine instruments performed against the research grade spectrometer was required. While all of the instruments had the potential analytical capability of measuring sticky cotton, some were more expensive than the industry would afford and would require even more costly hardening to be used in a cotton gin or spinning plant and some were concept commercial instruments without published performance data. Regardless, the calibration would need to be transferred to any of these new instruments. While there are existing algorithms to do this, it is imperative to understand the differences between instrument platforms. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS) has been used to characterize instrumental differences which will affect performance, stability and reliability. The 2DCOS programs were re-written in MATLAB ver. 6.51 to get on a common format with the newer instruments and the special purpose instruments which utilize MATLAB for data functions. The instruments used in the complete calibration studies of sticky cotton and those that we examined as possible rugged small instruments were evaluated for their instrument function parameters. The possibilities for using 2DCOS for instrument characterization will be explored for the small instruments.

Analysis of Sticky Cotton by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

"Stickiness" in cotton is a major problem affecting throughput in cotton gins and spinning mills alike. Stickiness is thought to be caused by the deposition of sugars by insects, principally aphid and whitefly, on the open boll. Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy was used to develop models for sugar content from high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), thermodetector, and mini-card data. A total of 457 cotton samples were selected to represent both Upland and Pima varieties and cotton processing before and after ginning. The Unscrambler was used to develop the models. A successful model was made to determine the mini-card value and successfully detect "stickiness". The standard error of cross-validation (SECv) was 0.26 with an R2 of 0.96. The model was not improved by increasing the range of "stickiness" as measured by the mini-card from the usual 0-3 scale to a scale of 0-8. If a value is determined to be greater than 1 it will be difficult to blend bales at a spinning plant "opening line" to allow for maximum efficiency of spinning.

Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis of Trehalulose and Sticky Cotton Yarn Defects Using ZnSe-Diamond Universal Attenuated Total Reflectance

The universal attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (UATR-FTIR) equipped with a ZnSe-diamond composite crystal accessory was used to investigate the implication of trehalulose in the formation of yarn defects during rotor spinning of moderately sticky cotton mixes. One cotton bale contaminated with aphid honeydew and one contaminated with whitefly honeydew were selected. Mixes having moderate levels of stickiness were prepared from these two bales by mixing sticky cotton with non-sticky cotton. These cotton mixes were processed and the yarn defects were collected and analyzed using UATR-FTIR. The results obtained showed a high correlation between the FTIR spectra of the yarn defects from the whitefly honeydew-contaminated mixes and the spectra of artificial reconstituted whitefly honeydew. No significant difference was seen between the spectra of yarn defects from aphid honeydew-contaminated cotton and those of non-contaminated cotton. The FTIR and Raman studies of the hydration process of trehalulose showed a drastic impact of moisture absorption on the intensities of the vibration modes of trehalulose. These results all indicate that trehalulose is the primary concern when forming yarns from cotton with moderate honeydew contamination.

Processing Sticky Cotton: Effect of Stickiness on Yarn Quality

Seventeen cotton samples with small-to-moderate stickiness contamination were created by mixing sticky cottons with non-sticky cottons, and then processed through ring and rotor spinning. Trehalulose contents ranged from 0.002% to 0.034% of the fiber weight (corresponding to 1.8% and 16.8% of the total sugars), while melezitose contents ranged from 0.023% to 0.071% (corresponding to 10.5% and 22.5% of the total sugars). High-speed stickiness detector (H2SD) readings of the card slivers ranged from 2.0 to15.7. At these relatively low levels of contamination there was no correlation between ends-down in spinning and H2SD readings. Results showed that in the short term, less than 12 H2SD spots within a mix of cotton does not seem to influence spinning productivity on either ring (Saco-Lowell SF-3H) or rotor (Rieter R20) systems. A slight, but significant, negative effect on the ring-spun yarn quality was found even at low levels of stickiness. In the long term, it appears likely that even very small amounts of trehalulose slowly contaminate the equipment. This accumulation of sugars would be expected to have a cumulative, negative impact on both productivity and yarn quality.

High Volume Instrument and Glucose Analysis of Acid Treated, Rinsed, and/or Heated and Autoclaved Cotton Fibers

Cottons contaminated with stickiness from physiological and/or entomological sugars cause multiple processing problems in textile mills. Textile mills request cotton with no stickiness or need methods to remove stickiness and consequently avoid processing problems. Little is understood of how fractional removal of sugar contamination affects glucose levels and fiber properties by changing the protective exterior layers (composed of substances such as pectins, waxes, and proteins). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of heat (dry and steam), acid catalysis, and water rinsing in lowering sugar levels and their affect on fiber properties. Sticky cotton was treated with a catalyst or rinsed in water and subjected to elevated temperatures for varying times. This study evaluated steps that could be taken at the cotton gin or textile mill to potentially remove sugar contaminants from cotton. Although costly and time consuming, water rinsing appears to be the most advantageous process to lower sugar levels while maintaining or improving fiber quality. Further studies are needed to determine an economical and efficient method of removing sugar contamination.

Simple and rapid method for evaluating stickiness of cotton using thermogravimetric analysis

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) with nitrogen and oxygen as carrier gas is used for the analysis of cotton lint samples for evaluating their stickiness. The advantage of the low melting point of trehalulose, a commonly found sugar, in the presence of oxygen as carrier gas is used for the evaluation. The oxidation of sugar present in the cotton lint results in increased weight around the melting point, which is proportional to the sugar content. The decomposition of the sugar further results in weight loss. This method is compared with the sticky cotton thermodetector and viscosity method for the estimation of sugar content. Good agreement between the methods suggests the usefulness and simplicity of TGA for estimation of stickiness in cotton.

HONEYDEW PRODUCTION BY KNACK- OR APPLAUD-TREATED SWEETPOTATO WHITEFLY (SPW) NYMPHS FEEDING ON NUCOTN 33 B AND DP 5415 COTTONS, 2002

Sticky cotton lint caused by Sweetpotato whitefly (SPW) honeydew contamination can interfere with cotton lint processing at the textile mill. As a result, honeydew contaminated cotton lint may be price discounted or rejected in the market place. Knack and Applaud are insect growth regulators that sterilize eggs and interfere with eclosion from the last nymphal instar or inhibit chitin synthesis. Our previous reports showed no measurable effects on honeydew production for SPW adults or nymphs collected from Knack or Applaud treated field plots. However, in the laboratory, first and second instar nymphs feeding on cotton leaves dipped in solutions of Knack and Applaud produced less honeydew sugars the nymphs feeding on leaves dipped in water solutions. In this study we compared honeydew production of SPW nymphs and their mortality after mist applications of Applaud to nymphs or after Applaud or Knack leaf dip application to eggs, in all cases, on NuCOTN 33 B (Bt) and DP 5415 cottons. Mists or leaf dips of water alone were served as checks.

Relationship between Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) and sticky lint in cotton.

The study was conducted in the northern Texas Rolling Plains in 1999 to define the relationship between number of cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover, and resulting contamination of cotton lint by honeydew. Whole-plot treatments were three furrow irrigation management treatments: cotton grown without supplemental irrigation (dryland), irrigated cotton with last irrigation in mid August, and irrigated cotton with last irrigation in late August. Subplots within each irrigation treatment included an untreated check, a plot treated with lambda-cyhalothrin to stimulate aphid population increase, a plot treated with lambda-cyhalothrin followed by pymetrozine after aphids began to increase, and a plot treated with lambda-cyhalothrin followed by thiamethoxam after aphids began to increase. Cotton aphids were counted on leaves picked from the top and bottom half of the plant. Cotton lint was analyzed for contamination by glucose, fructose, sucrose, and melezitose secreted by cotton aphids, and percentage leaf moisture and nitrogen and leaf sucrose concentrations were determined. The manual sticky cotton thermodetector was used to determine degree of lint stickinesss. There was a significant relationship between thermodetector counts and melezitose contamination on lint, and a melezitose concentration of 90.9 microg/g of lint was associated with a thermodetector count of 10, the threshold for sticky lint problems in textile mills. An equation was developed to estimate melezitose concentration on lint as a function of average numbers of aphids per leaf and the interaction between percentage leaf moisture and nitrogen. The number of aphids per leaf associated with a melezitose concentration of 90.9 microg/g of lint ranged from 11.1 to 50.1, depending on percentage leaf moisture and nitrogen. The threshold for sticky lint problems occurred when aphid numbers ranged between 11.1 and 50.1 per leaf after bolls open.

Carded Spinning of Sticky Cotton: Part II: Stickiness Effects on Quality

Whereas Part I describes the effects of stickiness on productivity, Part II is devoted to an assessment of its impact on quality. Samples of sliver, roving, and yarn taken during the spinning process are examined to determine the effects of stickiness on product quality from the card to the spinning frames. The first effects of stickiness on regularity are noted at the roving frame. Sliver regularity (of the card and drawing frame) does not appear to be affected by stickiness. The quality of ring spun yarn is more sensitive to stickiness than rotor spun yarn. This difference involves several important criteria, notably unevenness and imperfections.

Carded Spinning of Sticky Cotton. Part I: Stickiness Effects on Productivity

Ever since cotton stickiness first appeared, spinners have been reporting the disturbances it causes in the spinning process. Despite this, few quantitative studies have evaluated the detrimental effects caused by stickiness. This initial section, Part I, presents the results of an experimental study to evaluate the effects of stickiness on efficiency and breakage in industrial-scale spinning. The relationships between cotton stickiness, breakage, and efficiency are discussed for the card, drawing frame, roving frame, ring spinning frame, and rotor spinning frame. Different methods are used to measure stickiness and select that which most accurately predicts stickiness-induced effects: sugar content determined by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), number of sticky points determined by an scr thermodetector, and number and size of sticky points measured by H2SD (high speed stickiness detector). The roving frame is the most sensitive to stickiness and the H2SD appears to be the most accurate predictor of stickiness-induced effects during spinning.

The consequences of late outbreaks of the aphid Aphis gossypii in cotton growing in central Africa: Towards a possible method for the prevention of cotton stickiness

'Sticky cotton' causes substantial economic loss in central Africa. The phenomenon is the result of honeydew excreted by sapsucking insects, mainly the aphid Aphis gossypii Glover. The chemical protection currently available to farmers does not limit this type of damage effectively. From exhaustive counting of infested leaves and quantitative measurement of stickiness with a thermodetector, a positive relationship can be established between the seriousness of fibre stickiness and aphid outbreaks at the end of the season. A control method involving the topping of plants after boll opening reduces the number of leaves on which aphids feed and thus the abundance of the aphids.

Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) Population Relationships to Cotton and Lint Stickiness in Long and Short Staple Cottons

Whitefly honeydew contamination resulting in sticky cotton lint is a significant problem in the textile industry throughout the world. We conducted studies in 1995 and 1996 to determine the effects of cotton cultivars, cotton plant densities, and insecticides on Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring populations and the subsequent effects on honeydew cotton lint contamination. In 1995, cotton plant densities of 25 or 100,000 plants per hectare had no effect on numbers of B. argentifolii, adults, eggs, or nymphs based on adult leaf turns and immatures counted on leaf disks. There also was no effect on extracted honeydew sugars from lint samples or thermodetector sticky cotton counts (the international standard for measuring cotton lint stickiness). Higher numbers of whiteflies occurred in early-season in 'Pima S-7' cotton than in 'Deltapine (DPL) 50' in 1995 and 1996 or 'DPL 5415' cotton in 1995. In 1995, amounts of trehalulose and melezitose (insect honeydew sugars) extracted from cotton lint and thermodetector counts of lint samples were higher for DPL 50 compared with Pima S-7 but not DPL 5415. Insecticide treatments, in both years, reduced thermodetector counts and honeydew sugars extracted from lint. Increases in thermodetector sticky cotton counts and trehalulose and melezitose were significantly correlated to increasing B, argentifolii nymphal and adult populations. Thermodetector sticky cotton counts did not reach levels of concern (≥5) until adult leaf-turn counts were 8.9 or when all life stage nymphs were 3.2 per square centimeter of leaf disk during the open mature cotton boll period.

Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) Honeydew Sugars and Relationships to Sticky Cotton

Trehalulose and melezitose produced by Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring accumulated in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., lint in open cotton bolls on plants and on lint on harvested bolls in trays suspended in infested plants. Amounts accumulated were correlated positively to increasing numbers of exposure days. Fructose, glucose, and total reducing sugars increased but results were variable, probably because these sugars, although found in Bemisia honeydew, also normally occur in cotton lint. Minicard sticky cotton ratings were correlated positively to increased amounts of all sugars tested. Rainfall (4.8 cm in a 48-h period) reduced amounts of all sugars and minicard sticky cotton ratings. Accumulated sugars and minicard sticky cotton ratings were reduced in insecticide-treated compared with untreated fields. Trehalulose, melezitose, fructose, and glucose that accumulated on clear plastic-wrapped styrofoam balls were correlated positively to exposure time in B. argentifolii infested cotton fields. Amounts of all sugars, in general, were higher in clear plastic-wrapped balls placed at the middle and bottom of the plant as compared with the top of the plant. Amounts of trehalulose, melezitose, and fructose, but not glucose, were significantly higher on lint from bolls at plant nodes 9-14 as compared with nodes 15-20.

Stickiness Potential of Individual Insect Honeydew Carbohydrates on Cotton Lint

Stickiness of cotton fiber is usually caused by honeydew deposits from phloem- feeding insects, including whiteflies and aphids. This work was conducted to determine if the specific sugars commonly found in insect honeydews have different stickiness properties when applied to cotton lint. Standard sugar solutions were applied to non sticky cotton lint using a chromatography sprayer and assessed for stickiness using a minicard. The results indicate significant variation in natural stickiness within the sugars commonly found in insect honeydews. Trehalulose, a major component of sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) honeydew, was very sticky, as were turanose, palatinose, and sucrose. Melezitose, raffinose, glucose, and fructose were relatively nonsticky. Oligosaccharide stickiness was not directly related to the oligomer chain length, at least up to DP 3. These results suggest efforts to exploit biological methods to ameliorate honeydew-affected lint should focus on sugar components known to be sticky.

Effects of Drying Heat and Gin Additives on Sticky Cotton

Pima cotton that had been contaminated by honeydew from whitefly was treated during seed cotton processing by both controlled heating and oversprays. Under certain conditions, both heating and oversprays enabled small lots of sticky cotton to be roller ginned at normal throughput rules. However, the heating and overspray treatments did not improve textile processing. None of the treatments could be carded at the target rate of 27.2 kg/h (60 lb/h) even after blending 50/50 with nonsticky cotton or increasing the amount of overspray on the fiber. Further research is yet needed in this area.