Cellulose is defined as a complex carbohydrate. It is present in the cell walls of the cells of plants. It is the main component of the tissues and fibres of all plants. It is used in the manufacture of paper, textiles, explosives and many other fibrous products. Derivatives of cellulose are used in the manufacture of many finished products.
Cellulose is an insoluble fibre. One of the main functions of cellulose is to stiffen the stem of a plant. The tougher the stem of a plant, the stiffer is its cellulose content. It comprises a long chain of sugar molecules. The molecules of sugar present in cellulose are tightly bound to each other.
It is a natural polymer. In a raw state, cotton contains about 91 per cent of cellulose. It is the purest form of natural cellulose. Other major sources of natural cellulose, which are used to make paper, include hemp (which contains about 77 per cent of cellulose), softwoods and hardwoods (which contains between 57 per cent and 65 per cent of cellulose) and kozo (which contains between 66 per cent and 77 per cent of cellulose).
Cellulose is an insoluble fibre. One of the main functions of cellulose is to stiffen the stem of a plant. The tougher the stem of a plant, the stiffer is its cellulose content. It comprises a long chain of sugar molecules. The molecules of sugar present in cellulose are tightly bound to each other.
It is a natural polymer. In a raw state, cotton contains about 91 per cent of cellulose. It is the purest form of natural cellulose. Other major sources of natural cellulose, which are used to make paper, include hemp (which contains about 77 per cent of cellulose), softwoods and hardwoods (which contains between 57 per cent and 65 per cent of cellulose) and kozo (which contains between 66 per cent and 77 per cent of cellulose).
