What is Cellulose?

 

Currently, cellulose is one of the most valuable industrial raw materials of natural origin. This is because it can be used to produce various materials beneficial to human life.

In many plant species, cellulose is a component of cell walls. To better understand what cellulose means for the cell, it is useful to recall the basic structure of plant cells. Inside each cell are a nucleus, cytoplasm, vacuoles, and mitochondria, all embedded within membranes and walls. What is the role of cellulose in plants? The primary function of cellulose walls is to protect the cell interior. They also give shape to the cells. What exactly is cellulose? It is a linear polymer of plant origin, an unbranched polysaccharide that includes, among others, dietary fiber.

What is Cellulose Made Of?

The natural production of cellulose fibers is made possible by photosynthesis, through which plants generate energy independently using carbon dioxide and sunlight. So, what is cellulose made of? The composition of plant cell walls is quite simple: a monosaccharide, containing D-glucose residues, linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, forming characteristic folded chains.

Structure of Cellulose

What does plant cellulose look like? It is a white, odorless, and tasteless solid that is insoluble in water. Cellulose has a fibrous structure. In cell walls, it is found alongside other organic compounds like lignin or pectin. Cellulose can be dissolved using a chemical solution of tetraaminecopper(II) hydroxide, known as Schweizer's reagent. Cellulose exists in various forms that differ in physical and chemical properties. Some types of cellulose, such as ethyl cellulose, dissolve in polar solvents and swell upon contact with alcohols, while methyl cellulose solutions are strong foaming agents.

In Which Plants is Cellulose Found?

Which plants contain cellulose? Cellulose is found in many plant species that grow in temperate or equatorial climates, as well as in cold regions. Examples of cellulose-containing plants include:

• cotton,
• flax,
• hemp,
• coniferous and deciduous trees,
• fruits and vegetables (e.g., apples, pears),
• nuts,
• cereals.

Cotton is considered the plant richest in cellulosic fibers, with the cellulose content in its cells reaching up to 95%.

Cellulose and Humans

This substance, which we benefit from in the food we eat, plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the digestive system. What role does cellulose play in the intestines? Thanks to cellulose, food moves more quickly through the digestive tract. It also helps us feel full. Fiber supports metabolic processes and the body's natural detoxification.

The Use of Cellulose in the Food Industry

In food industry facilities, cellulose is frequently used in production processes. What is it used for? Known as E460, it is a popular thickening and stabilizing agent. This additive can be found in many products purchased daily, such as ready-made meals, wheat rolls, jams, creams, sauces, yogurts, smoothies, and soups. Cellulose casings are used in the production of sausages and cooked or smoked cold cuts.

The Importance of Cellulose in the Paper and Pharmaceutical Industries

Stable and flexible cellulosic fibers are especially important as raw materials in the paper industry. The most well-known cellulose products include paper, cardboard, packaging, and hygiene products (toilet paper, cleaning wipes, kitchen towels). The potential of cellulose is also well known to pharmaceutical manufacturers. This raw material is now found, among others, in coatings/shells of tablets, capsules, powders, etc. These types of biopolymer fibers are also used in the production of medical dressings.