title: Tensile deformation of bacterial cellulose composites.
abstract: The polymeric basis for the mechanical properties of primary plant cell walls has been investigated by forming analogous composites based on fermentation of the bacterium Acetobacter xylinus, either alone or in the presence of xyloglucan or pectin. Simultaneous small-angle X-ray scattering and uniaxial deformation experiments has shown how the cellulose microfibrils reorient during deformation. Despite very different stress/strain curves, the reorientation behaviour is similar, regardless of the presence or absence of xyloglucan or pectin. A simple theory has been developed to predict the orientation behaviour. This is qualitatively similar to the measured behaviour, but differs quantitatively.
authors.affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
authors.forename: Owen M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Astley
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chanliaud
authors.forename: Athene M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Donald
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gidley
mesh_terms: D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D005285:Fermentation; D041822:Gluconacetobacter xylinus / Q000378:metabolism*; D020894:Microfibrils / Q000737:chemistry; D010368:Pectins / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D010368:Pectins; D002482:Cellulose