Define the functionality of cellulose, Biology

Assignment Help:

Functionality of cellulose

Cellulose has many uses as an anticaking agent, emulsifier, stabilizer, dispersing agent, thickener and gelling agent, but these are generally subsidiary to its most important use of holding water. Dry amorphous cellulose absorbs water becoming soft and flexible. Some of this water is non-freezing but most is  simply trapped. Less water is bound by direct hydrogen bonding if the cellulose has high crystallinity but some fibrous cellulose products can hold on to considerable water in pores and its  typically straw-like cavities. As such water is supercoolable, this effect may protect against ice damage. Cellulose can give improved volume and texture, particularly as a fat replacer in sauces and dressings but its insolubility means that all products will be cloudy. 

Swelled bacterial cellulose (eg. Acetobacter xylinum) exhibits pseudoplastic viscosity, like xanthan gels but this viscosity is not lost at high temperatures and low shear rates as the cellulose can retain its structure. Where individual cellulose strands are surrounded by water, they are flexible and do not present contiguous hydrophobic surfaces.

 


Related Discussions:- Define the functionality of cellulose

Industrial processes that use bacteria, Q. What are few industrial processe...

Q. What are few industrial processes that use bacteria? Bacteria are used by industry in different ways. There are vaccines made of antigens present in bacteria or of attenuate

What is immunopurification, Purifying antigens present in small quantities ...

Purifying antigens present in small quantities as a mixture by relating an antibody to an antigen.

Expression of variability, In the preceding section we emphasised the fact ...

In the preceding section we emphasised the fact that cvolution or the continuous adaptations to the environment can take place only when pheiiotypes exhibit variability. In the abs

Explain the mechanism of drying, Explain the Mechanism of Drying? Dryin...

Explain the Mechanism of Drying? Drying as a mechanism, you will realize, involves the removal of free moisture from the surface and also moisture from the interior of the mate

Explain the hydration properties of proteins, Hydration Properties  Gen...

Hydration Properties  General conformation of individual proteins in solution is largely dependent on the interaction with water.  The progressive hydration of proteins startin

Natality - population parameters and regulation, Natality - Population Para...

Natality - Population Parameters and Regulation Natality is the ability of a population to increase. Natality rate is equivalent to birth rate which means the production of ne

Explain adaptive radiation and convergence, Adaptive radiation OR convergen...

Adaptive radiation OR convergence Adaptive radiation Explanation of the adaptive radiation process linked to the introduction of a single species and the wide range

Megasporogenesis, Megasporogenesis One of the nucellar cells situ...

Megasporogenesis One of the nucellar cells situated subjacent to the epidermis differentiates into the primary archesporial cell. This cell is larger than the adjacent ce

Determine the membrane voltage of neuron b, Consider Neuron B in the frog c...

Consider Neuron B in the frog central nervous system whose plasma membrane has a previously unknown channel that is selectively conductive to a newly discovered tetravalent anion n

Define protein requirements during sepsis, Define Protein Requirements duri...

Define Protein Requirements during Sepsis? Adequate amount of protein is required by these patients to improve immunity against infections, promote recovery, spare lean body ma

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd