Cellulose - Structural properties

14 important questions on Cellulose - Structural properties

What is the source of cellulose?

Cell wall structures of higher plants

What is the building block of cellulose?

Beta-1,4-glucose

What is the structure of cellulose?

Long unbranched homopolymeric chains, which align with each other via hydrogen bonds, forming insoluble, crystalline microfibrils. These microfibrils are coated by so-called hemicelluloses as e.g. Xyloglucans.
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How can cellulose be extracted?

From wood, flax or cotton fibre by alkaline treatment in order to remove hemicelluloses, waxes, proteins and lignins.

How is microcrystalline cellulose derived from cellulose?

By acid treatment at higher temperature. Hydrochloric acid is added at higher temperature, only the amorphous parts of the cellulose is hydrolysed and resistant crystalline cellulose particles remain.

Which types of MCC can be obtained and by which treatments?

  1. Freeze drying --> powder of porous aggregates --> flavour carrier and anti-caking agent
  2. Dried crystalline cellulose elements separated by high shear --> small and uniform particles are obtained --> stabilise foams and emulsions, especially in high T processes

How are cellulose derivatives made?

The cellulose is dispersed in alkali solution to swell and then treated with different reagents to substitute the glucose building blocks.

What kind of cellulose derivates can be made? And which reagent is used to make it?

  • Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) --> monochloroacetic acid
  • Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) --> propylene oxide
  • Methyl cellulose (MC) --> chloromethane

What is the structure of CMC?

Anionic, linear, water-soluble polymer

How are the solubility and degree of substitution related in CMC?

Higher DS, the better the solubility. Less intermolecular cellulose chain associations are possible then.

Is HPC soluble in water?

Yes, in cold water. Above 45 C, HPC becomes insoluble, but no gel is formed

What are special properties of HPC?

  • Soluble in ethanol
  • High surface activity

Is MC soluble in water?

Yes, in cold water. Forms a gel on heating and returns to its original viscosity on cooling.

If you want to make a salad dressing with floating particles, which polysaccharides can you use?

Xanthan gum or MC

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