We explain what cellulose is, what its function, properties and uses are. Also, what is the history of its discovery.
What is cellulose?
Cellulose is a chemical compound organic very common in the vegetal kingdom and in some beings of the protist kingdom. Consequently, it constitutes the biomolecule more abundant of our planet.
It is a biopolymer, that is, a long chain of carbohydrates, composed exclusively of molecules glucose (β-glucose) linked together by hydrogen bonds. It is described with the chemical formula C6H10O5.
Cellulose is synthesized by plants and constitutes one of its fundamental compounds, but animals do not possess the enzymes necessary to digest it (cellulase). The Humans We cannot feed on it either, although we do have many industrial uses for this compound.
However, ruminants and other vegetarian animals possess in their stomachs bacteria Y microorganisms they do have it and help them digest the plant content.
On the other hand, cellulose can be found in the very structure of vegetables cells, or in different fibers and vegetable products, such as cotton (made from 90% cellulose).
History of cellulose
The French chemist Anselme Payen (1795-1871) discovered cellulose in 1838, from his work with cotton, potatoes and paper, thus managing to isolate it and determine its chemical formula. Since then it has been used in the production of fibers and commercial substances, such as celluloid, a multimeter thermoplastic obtained for the first time in 1856, under the name of parkesina.
Cellulose function
The main function of cellulose in plant tissues is that of support, that is, that it is part of the cell wall of the vegetables cells, in a proportion of 40%. Wood, for example, has 50% cellulose, and cotton 90%.
As we said before, animals cannot extract their Energy (contained in the form of glucose) since we cannot naturally carry out the hydrolysis of this molecule (that is, its chemical breakdown).
However, many microorganisms and mushrooms they are capable of decomposing it, and through the degradation of the cellulose of the wood, the leaves, the stems (or the cardboard, the paper and other products derived from it), thus fulfilling an important ecological role.
Cellulose properties
Cellulose is made up of the union of minor organic sugar units, that is, saccharides, in a long and compact chain. It is insoluble in Water Y alcohol, and has a highly variable molecular weight.
Like other carbohydrates of biological origin, cellulose is combustible, reacting with strong oxidants in a exothermic, which explains the ease with which forest fires spread.
Cellulose uses
Being so easy to obtain by natural or artificial means, cellulose is part of the raw Materials most processed in the world, especially in the manufacture of paper, cardboard, artificial wood, natural fibers, artificial silk or celluloids.
It is also used as a thermal and acoustic insulator, as a varnish and is even used to make explosives (nitrocellulose).