STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISATION AND ORIENTATION OF CELL WALL POLYMERS IN MAIZE LEAVES

Abstract

Cell wall can be considered as a nano-composite in which cellulose, lignin and hemicelluloses are interconnected in a specific manner. Mechanical and physical propreties of plant fibres are dependent on the orientation of constituent polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy was used to examine the orientation of the main plant polymers in transversal and longitudinal direction of the isolated cell wall of the maize leaves. Polarised FTIR measurements indicated an anisotropy, i.e. orientation of the cellulose microfibrils that was more or less parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cell wall. Xylan has parallel orientation with regard to the orientation of cellulose, as well as lignin.