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

Transpiration, Most of the water taken up by a plant passes through it and ...

Most of the water taken up by a plant passes through it and is evaporated to the atmosphere.What use is made of the tiny fraction of this water which is retained by the plant?

How many meters long is the molecule, E. coli DNA has a MW of about 2.7 x 1...

E. coli DNA has a MW of about 2.7 x 10^9 Daltons. How many meters long is this molecule and what does this tell you about the state of the intracellular DNA? ( The lenght of a sing

Abo blood compatibility for the safety of blood transfusion, Is ABO blood c...

Is ABO blood compatibility enough for the safety of blood transfusion? Moreover ABO blood compatibility the compatibility concerning the Rh blood system must also be checked. A

Explain the occurrence of vitamin B6, Explain the Occurrence of vitamin B 6...

Explain the Occurrence of vitamin B 6 Vitamin B 6 activity is attributed to the 3 compounds-pyridoxol (pyridoxine), pyridoxal and pyridoxamine, generally comprised in the vit

Benefits of hand washing, Benefits of Hand washing You wash hands as a ...

Benefits of Hand washing You wash hands as a routine in daily life before cooking and eating food, after using wash room/toilet, before touching and caring a new born baby, aft

Mention the main cause of air pollution in metro cities, a) Mention the mai...

a) Mention the main cause of air pollution in metro cities. Write any three ways by which it can be decreased. b) How did Eli Lilly synthesize the human insulin? Mention

Define x-ray chest and coronary angiography, Q. Define X-Ray Chest and Coro...

Q. Define X-Ray Chest and Coronary Angiography? X-Ray Chest It shows cardiomegaly with left ventricle (LV) and left atrium (LA) enlargement. There may be signs of pulmona

Describe briefly about vitamin B2, Vitamin B 2 (Riboflavin) Riboflavin...

Vitamin B 2 (Riboflavin) Riboflavin is a yellow to orange-yellow, crystalline powder of faint odour and intensely bitter taste. Its solubility in water is very slight and depe

Define absorption of dietary iron, Define Absorption of Dietary Iron? H...

Define Absorption of Dietary Iron? Haem iron is more bioavailable than non-haem iron because it is absorbed intact as a soluble complex by endocytosis (process whereby cells ab

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