Studies on Convolution of Cotton Fiber [I] -Optical Rotation Analysis of Cotton Fibers Cultivated in Various Countries -

Abstract

Cotton fiber has its own complicated convolutions caused by helicoidal orientation of cellulose fibrils in the secondary cell membrane. This helicoidal orientation has been deduced to be caused by the earth's rotation during fibril development. To confirm this, the optical rotation power of cotton fibers cultivated in various countries was measured using a polarizing microscope. The optical rotation power of Z-type convolution parts in cotton fibers cultivated in the northern hemisphere was greater than that of the S-type convolution parts. On the other hand, for cotton fibers cultivated in the southern hemisphere, the optical rotation power of the S-type convolution parts was greater than that of the Z-type parts. This tendency was found to differ markedly for cotton fibers cultivated in areas located at different distances from the equator.