Future developments - biodegradable polymers obtained from hemicelluloses

5 Future developments - biodegradable polymers obtained from hemicelluloses 

Plant biomass consists of three main polymeric components cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. These three polymers constitute an intricate natural composite material. In softwoods, hardwoods, and the abundantly available agricultural residues such as wheat, rice and other eereal straws, sugarcane bagasse, com stalks, corncobs, jute and eotton stalks, eellulose is the chief constituent (over 40% by weight) followed by hemieellulose ( 30%) and Ugnin (-20%). Table 7.2 shows the constituents of some plant biomass. Thus, while cellulose is nature s most abundant polymer, hemieellulose and Ugnin are the second and third most abundant polymeric substances produeed by nature. 

Hemicellulose, in particular, is industrially the least isolated and utiUzed component of plant material. Hemicelluloses irom different types of plants have complex and widely different stmctures. There is signifieant disagreement and 

The classical applications of hemicelluloses are shown in Fig. 7.4, which shows its use in specialty chemicals, solvents as well as biodegradable polymers (the latter being a recent addition). This section seeks to highlight the applications 

Bagasse, corn cobs, wheat straw. rice hulls 

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