Solvent Extraction of Cotton Wax

Solvent extractions of many samples of cotton showed that the usual methods of wax extraction are not always adequate for general use, particularly on cottons whose extractable matter has been changed by manufacturing operations such as the addition of spinning oil or warp size, or the removal of part of the wax by bleaching processes. The usual simple extractions may be satisfactory for routiue work on raw or processed cottons if the solvent is selected according to the type of cotton and to the purpose of the extraction. If, however, an accurate estimation of amount of wax is needed, a more inclusive method is desirable. The alcohol- chloroform extraction procedure developed by Conrad is shown to be such a method. Several of the various other methods of extraction discussed are more suitable for dewaxing cotton for special uses than for analysis for wax content.