Cotton seed coat, which has a complex macromolecular composition, consists of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, and wax substances. The presence of seed coat fragments (SCFs) is a major problem in the textile industry because SCFs create weak points in the yarn and differences in dye uptake. The number of SCFs in the lint is cultivar-dependent. Understanding the amount and distribution of lignin and other macromolecules in the fiber base and the associated seed coat will provide a new insight into their contributions to produce SCFs. We identified two F3 cotton lines with differences in the number of SCFs in cotton lint. Then, we developed an integrated approach using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and microspectroscopy imaging, scanning electron microscopy, stereo microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis to identify structural, compositional, and spatial distribution of biomolecules in SCFs. Infrared images of thin seed coat sections were analyzed by functional group distribution images and k-mean cluster analysis. Our results show that the distributions of pectic acids or hemicellulose (vibrations 1734 and 1624 cm-1), and lignin (vibration ~1504 cm-1) are different in these cultivars. k-mean clustering produced different clusters and a representative spectrum for each layer of seed coats, which can be further analyzed to identify their biochemical differences. This study demonstrated that FTIR imaging could be used as a powerful non-destructive technique to investigate biochemical composition and distribution of biomolecules in seed coat sections.

FTIR microspectroscopy investigation of biomolecules distribution in cotton seed coat

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.