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The unknown structure of cellulose: Why can't it be digested by animals?
Cellulose is a special polysaccharide that mainly comes from the cell walls of plants and is one of the most common organic compounds on earth. Despite its widespread occurrence in nature, little research has been done on its complex structure and its effects on animal digestion. Why is it that cellulose in plant foods can pass through the animal body without being broken down? Next, we will take a closer look at the structural characteristics of cellulose and why it cannot be digested by animals.
Cellulose is a polymer composed of repeated glucose molecules in series. This unique structure makes it impossible for enzymes in animals to break it down.
Structural characteristics of cellulose
Cellulose is composed of hundreds to tens of thousands of glucose units strung together in long chains. Compared to other complex carbohydrates such as starch and glycogen, the glucose molecules in cellulose are linked together in a very different way. This gives cellulose a linear chain shape, forming long, rod-like structures, while starch has a helical structure.
These structural differences are directly responsible for the properties of cellulose. Generally speaking, the enzymes produced by animals are unable to effectively break down the bonds of cellulose, so cellulose is not broken down into absorbable glucose units during the digestion process.
Types of cellulose
Natural cellulose fibers
Natural cellulose fibers are usually derived from the original plant characteristics. These fibers do not undergo excessive processing and only go through necessary cleaning steps. Cotton fibers clearly show the appearance of cotton balls, while linen retains the solid characteristics of jute fibers.
Cellulose fibers produced
Manufacturing cellulose fiber involves processing plants into pulp and then extracting the fibers through extraction technology. For example, rayon, or rayon, is one of the most common manufactured cellulose fibers made from wood pulp. Such fibers usually have good biocompatibility and environmental protection properties.
Characteristics and applications of cellulose
Chemical composition
Natural fibers are mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, and the proportions of these components vary for different fiber types. Natural fibers usually contain 60% to 80% cellulose. This chemical combination drastically affects the mechanical properties of the fiber, as hemicellulose increases water absorption capacity and lignin provides thermal stability.
Application Areas
Cellulose fibers have a wide range of applications, from composite materials to the textile industry to filter materials. The properties of cellulose allow it to be successfully incorporated into a variety of materials. When making composite materials, fibers can improve the strength and durability of the material.
In the textile field, recycled cellulose is often used to make fibers such as Lyon, Modal and Lyocell, all of which have good wearing performance and environmental protection characteristics.
Environmental issues
The so-called "bamboo fiber" on the market is not real bamboo fiber, but highly processed bamboo pulp. While the process isn’t as environmentally friendly as it may seem, in some cases, growing and harvesting bamboo can be a more sustainable option than logging.
By understanding the structure and applications of cellulose, we can better appreciate its potential in environmental protection and resource recycling. With the advancement of technology, in what form will cellulose appear in the future and how will it affect our lives?
