Noncellulosic Constituents on Raw Cotton and Their Relationship to Fiber Physical Properties

Raw cottons contain a number of noncellulosic materials that are generally considered to be surface related and may therefore affect fiber quality. Chemical tests are conducted on cottons originating from different U.S. growing locations to determine reducing sugars, wax, metal contents, and total alcohol extractable materials. Relationships between concentrations of these constituents and conventional fiber physical property measure ments are investigated. Increases in HVI and Stelometer fiber strength and RotorRing fiber-to-fiber friction and decreases in Suter-Webb short fiber content are highly related to increases in alcohol extractable materials, fiber ash residues, and total light metal contents. Conversely, increases in the metal calcium correlate with decreases in both fiber strength and fiber-to-fiber friction and increases in short fiber content. Increases in HVI Rd and + b color measurements correlate positively with increasing levels of the metals potassium and magnesium.