Cell Dimensions and their Relationship to the Chemical Nature of the Lignin from the Wood of Broad-leaved Trees

Abstract

The dimensions of the various structural elements of 14 samples of wood from 10 broad-leaved species were determined by ultraviolet and scanning electron microscopy. A relationship was found between the chemical structure of the lignins and the morphological characteristics of the woods. The ratio of the thickness of the double cell wall of the fibres to their width increased with the increasing syringyl content of the lignin. A similar increase with syringyl content of the lignin was noted for the ratio of the vessel wall thickness to the vessel width. It is suggested that these trends are related to the availability of oxygen during the lignification process.