Cellulose Is: Definition, Type, Structure, Properties and Functions

Cellulose Is: Definition, Type, Structure, Properties and Functions – Cellulose is a fiber-like compound, and is found in the protective cell walls of plants. To better understand it, of course we will discuss further about Cellulose below. Let's see.

Cellulose Is: Definition, Type, Structure, Properties and Functions

Cellulose is a constituent substance found in plants in large quantities and as a structural material for cell walls in all plants. Cellulose is a molecule consisting of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which is found in the cellular structures found in almost all plant matter.

Cellulose is the main carbohydrate synthesized by plants and almost 60% is a component of the structure of wood. Cellulose is long fibers which, together with hemicellulose, pectin, and proteins, form a network structure to strengthen cell walls in plants. For example, namely as crop or agricultural residues such as rice straw, corn husks, wheat, sugarcane shells and much more.

Cellulose was first described by someone named Anselme Payen in 1838 which cellulose as a resistant solid fiber and remains after purification of plant tissue with acids and ammonia. Payen began to observe that the purified material contained a uniform type of chemical compound, which he called carbohydrates. This is based on glucose residues that are similar to starch (Brown and Saxena, 2007).

Types of Cellulose

According to Nuringtyas (2010), there are three types of cellulose based on the degree of polymerization and solubility in sodium hydroxide (NaOH), among them are as follows:

α Cellulose (Alpha Cellulose)

Structure Formula of Cellulose α

α Cellulose is a type of long-chain cellulose, which is insoluble in 17.5% NaOH solution or strong base solution with a polymerization degree of 600 – 1500. Cellulose α is used to predict or determine the level of purity in cellulose.

α Cellulose is the purest or highest quality type of cellulose. Cellulose α > 92% meets the requirements if it is used as the main raw material in the manufacture of propellant or explosives, while lower quality cellulose is used as raw material in the manufacture of paper and clothing industries or cloth. The higher the alpha cellulose content, the better the quality of the material.

Cellulose ß (Betha Cellulose)

Structure Formula of Cellulose β

ß-cellulose is a type of short-chain cellulose, which dissolves in 17.5% NaOH solution or strong base with a polymerization degree of 15 – 90, can precipitate if neutralized.

Cellulose γ (Gamma cellulose)

Cellulose γ is a type of cellulose that is the same as cellulose ß, but the degree of polymerization is less than 15.

Cellulose Structure

Cellulose fiber is a plant cell wall formed fiber. There are two kinds of cellulose found in cellulose fibers, namely cellulose microfibrils and cellulose macrofibrils which are shaped like threads that gather together with other cells.

Polysaccharides and proteins circulate in the cell wall. The arrangement of cellulose microfibrils between polysaccharides and also proteins produces a strong bond in the plant cell wall. This plant cell wall performs various functions including strengthening the cell wall.

The cell wall protects the inside of a plant cell. Unlike other cell wall components, where the synthesis process takes place inside the plant cell, cellulose is synthesized on the surface of the cell wall.
Located between the plasma membrane of plants is an enzyme called cellulose synthesizer whose job is to synthesize cellulose. If cellulose is going to change shape then it is cellulose microfibrils that are on the inner surface of the cell. Then the cellulose microfibrils will bind to each other to form cellulose macrofibrils which are in the middle surface of the cell. Cellulose macrofibrils enlarge to form fibers called cellulose fibers.

Properties of Cellulose

According to the opinion of Fengel and Wegener (1984), the properties of cellulose consist of physical and chemical properties. Which long chain cellulose has stronger physical properties, and is more durable against degradation caused by heat, and chemical and biological influences.

Here are some other properties of cellulose, namely:

• Can be degraded by hydrolysis, oxidation, photochemistry or mechanically so that the molecular weight decreases.
• Insoluble in water even in organic solvents, but partially soluble in alkaline solutions.
• When dry, cellulose is hygroscopic, hard and brittle. If cellulose contains enough water it will be soft cellulose. So the function of water here is that it is useful in softening.
• Cellulose in crystals has better strength compared to its amorphous form.

Meanwhile, according to Harsini and Susilowati (2010), the properties of cellulose fibers are as follows:

• Has high tensile strength.
• Able to form a network.
• Not easily soluble in water, alkali and organic solvents.
• Relatively colorless.
• Has a stronger binding ability.

Source of Cellulose

Cellulose is present in all plants from storied trees to primitive organisms such as sea grasses, flagellates and bacteria. Cellulose can even be obtained in the animal kingdom, such as tunicin and the cuticle substance tunicate which is identical to vegetable cellulose.

High levels of cellulose are found in seed hairs (cotton, kapok) and skin fibers, moss, horsetail, and bacteria which contain little cellulose. The isolation of cellulose is also greatly influenced by the compounds present in the cell wall. Compounds such as fat, wax, protein and also pectin are very easy to remove and can be done by extraction with organic solvents and dilute alkali. This work is for example done on cotton and hemp.

Cellulose is a basic material of many technology products (paper, film, fiber, additives, and more many more) and are therefore isolated mainly from wood by pulping processes on a large scale big.

You can find cellulose in the cell walls of fruits and vegetables, and it cannot be digested by humans. Cellulose that has passed through the digestive system of food is not changed, but is useful as dietary fiber which is well received by the human digestive system. Cellulose molecules range in length from a few hundred to several thousand glucose units, depending on the source.

Cellulose is a polymer found in plant cell walls such as wood, branches and leaves. That's what causes the structure of wood, branches and leaves to be strong. There are monomer units that combine to form polymers. Glucose is the name of the monomer found in cellulose.

Another source of cellulose is the result of cellulose biosynthesis by microorganisms such as bacteria, algae and fungi. Algae and also fungi can produce cellulose through enzymatic in vitro synthesis from cellobiosyl fluoride, as well as chemosynthesis from glucose at ring-opening polymerization of benzyl derivatives and pivaloyl.

Of the three microorganisms, only Acetobacter xylinum species can produce cellulose in large quantities. Another source of cellulose is derived from animals, which is called tunicin or animal cellulose because it is obtained from certain marine organisms from the class Tunicata (Gea, 2010).

The Benefits and Functions of the Role of Cellulose

The following are the roles and benefits of cellulose including:

Composition of Plant Cell Walls

Cellulose is the main constituent of plant cell walls as well as several other organisms such as algae. In plants, cellulose plays a very important role for its survival in nature. The strong and rigid nature of cellulose allows plants to grow upright on the surface of the earth.

Streamlining Animal Digestion

Cellulose is a compound known as fiber, this compound has a very important role for the animal body even though it is unable to digest it. Fiber is able to push undigested food scraps (food dregs), so that the defecation process can run smoothly. If you lack dietary fiber, this will cause constipation, which is a symptom of difficult defecation caused by excessive water absorption. However, if there is fiber a.k.a cellulose, feces will be easy to dispose of.

Building Materials And Property

For the character of cellulose which is strong and not easily soluble in water, this makes cellulose have many benefits. The benefits include that cellulose is used as an additive in the manufacture of fabrics or carpets and many more. This water-insoluble cellulose is very easy to separate from other compounds or liquids.

Not only that, thanks to the presence of cellulose which is composed of plant cell walls, one of which can be used in the manufacture of paper, cardboard or tissue. There is also fiber in cellulose which is often used in making handicrafts or very, very strong ropes.

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