Canadian Journal of Botany · 1976 · 13 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesBotanyPlant SciencesCarbohydrate ChemistryPlant BiochemistryPlant Cell BiologyCarbohydrate StructureCellulose BiochemistryCellulose ChemistryPlant CellsCellulose AnalysisCellulose CharacterizationCellulose ContentPlant Cell Wall CellulosePlant Cell Wall CompositionPrimary Cell WallsSecondary Cell WallsX-ray Diffraction Analysis
Glochids of two species of cactus were analyzed using infrared spectrophotometry and x-ray diffraction to determine their chemical constituency. The results were compared with calcium oxalate, a known constituent of many plant crystals, and with pure cellulose, the major component of plant cell walls. The analysis showed the glochids to be pure crystalline cellulose.