Two cotton cultivars were planted in the greenhouse and fibers were harvested at different stages of development (from 10 until 56 days post-anthesis). The percentage of sugars present on the fibers was determined by HPLC and cellulose content was determined using the anthrone method. Percentages of sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose, galacturonic acid) showed significant changes during fiber development. The decrease in percentages of these sugars as the secondary cell wall (SCW) develops was associated with an increase in cellulose content. TGA was used to investigate structural changes during cell wall development. The percent weight losses attributed to water, non-cellulosic materials, and cellulose were calculated from the thermograms. Valuable information was obtained related to the composition of the cell wall and the timing of the transition between the primary cell wall and SCW. FTIR results corroborated HPLC and TGA findings and indicated that the two cultivars investigated exhibited different structural evolution.

Secondary cell wall development in cotton fibers: FTIR, HPLC, and TGA investigations

239th National Meeting (2010)

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