Submitted to: Microscopy And Microanalysis
Publication Acceptance Date: February 18, 2004
Publication Date: August 1, 2004
Citation: Himmelsbach, D.S., Khalili, S., Akin, D.E., Hardin, I.R. 2004. Infrared Microspectroscopic Mapping Of Natural Textile Fibers. Microscopy And Microanalysis. 10 (Suppl. 1), P. 532.

Technical Abstract: Infrared microspectroscopic mapping of fibers in situ, before and after treatment, was conducted to reveal the nature of their associated morphological and chemical environments. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) fibers with stem tissue and upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) with attached seed were investigated in situ. Enzymatic/chemical treatments of flax stems, aimed at releasing the fibers from their natural matrix, were also studied to determine the effects of processing conditions. The results were compared to typical staining reactions employed in histochemistry. Infrared mapping was found to be exceptionally useful as a guide to successful treatments for fiber isolation and purification necessary for their use in textile production.