Micro Structure of Cotton Fibre

Micro Structure of Cotton Fibre

Secondary Wall

Cuticle
 • Cuticle:
• Very thin layer, tightly attached to the outside
of primary wall.
• Consists of wax, mixture of fats and oils.
• Protects fibre from mechanical and chemical
damages.

Cuticle
Primary Wall:
• Underneath the cuticle,
composed of very fine thread of
cellulose called fibril.
• Consists of wax, protein,
pectinaceous substances as well
as cellulose.
• Fibril are arranged in crisscross
pattern at about 70 degree to the
fibre axis.
• This spiraling imparts strength to
the primary cell wall.
Secondary Wall:
• Beneath the primary cell wall and
composed mainly of cellulose (Bulk
portion of the fibre)
• Consists of concentric layers of
cellulosic fibril in spiral formation which
imparts strength and stability of cotton
fibre.
• Spiral angle changes slightly between
20 degree to 30 degree.
• Whenever the fibrils change of their
spirals, a weak area exists in the
secondary wall structure.
• Lumen:
• The hollow empty canal, running lengthwise
through the centre of the fibre is called lumen.
• During cotton fibre growth stage, it was full of
aqueous solution of proteins, sugar, mineral and
cell waste.
• After drying liquid disappears and leaving an
almost empty channel.