Microanalytical Method for the Characterization of Fiber Components and Morphology of Woody Plants

Microanalytical techniques were developed which allow the rapid characterization of fiber components and morphology of loblolly pine in a large number of samples. These techniques consist of extractives removal, holocellulose preparation, alpha-cellulose and lignin content determination, and fiber length and coarseness analyses. Greater than 95% of the nonvolatile extractives from an increment core sample of loblolly pine was removed by four successive two-day acetone extractions. Fiber morphology and alpha-cellulose content was determined from holocellulose prepared from only 100 mg of wood. Similarly, a microanalytical acetyl bromide method was developed that enabled the accurate determination of lignin content from less than 50 mg of wood. Through the development of these microanlytical methods, it is possible to accurately and rapidly analyze fiber morphology and chemical components in a large number of increment core samples.