Cell wall characterization of rattan fiber: the mechanisms of cane flexibility
2008
Abasolo, W.P.
The cell wall of rattan fibers (Calamus merrillii Becc.) was characterized in order to explain the mechanisms of cane flexibility. Characters evaluated were fiber distribution, cell wall chemistry, cellulose degree of crystallinity, and cell wall microfibril angle using standard procedures used for wood. Fiber distributions were directed towards the peripheral region of the cane. This provided stability to the stem specially during the bending process. Cellulose content ranged from 35.6-52.9%, hemicellulose, varied from 22.8-34.7% and lignin was from 22.8-26.8%. These values fall within the range of wood. Degree of crystallinity was comparatively low (from 12-27%) to that of wood (54%). Microfibril angle was relatively high with 23-34 deg. Rattan fiber walls were flexible due to the combined contribution of cellulose crystallinity and microfibril angle. Low crystallinity would reduce the restrictive force applied by the cellulose chain on the walls while the large microfibril angle provided enough allowance for the fibrils to realign itself to the direction of the load. These two added features of rattan fibers promote cane bending.
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