Size Exclusion Chromatography of Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives

Approximately 2 X 10 ton biomass is produced on land and in water annually (l). Cellulose is the principal structural material in the cell wall of all plants (2). In addition, cellulose can be found in algae, bacteria, and animals (tunicates). Assuming that the average source contains 50% cellulose (Table 1) (35), then approximately 1 X 10 ton cellulose is formed each year. This makes cellulose the most important renewable resource in the world. Cellulose and its derivatives have been and are commercially and scientifically important. They are used in the production of paper; textiles and fibers (e.g., rayon); films (e.g., cellophane); gums and thickeners (e.g., cellulose ethers); foods; pharmaceuticals; cosmetics; explosives and propellants (e.g., nitrocellulose); and adhesives. In addition, the hydrolysis of cellulose is actively being studied as raw material for the production of alcohol fuels (6) and chemicals (7). As nonrenewable materials are depleted, the importance of cellulose as a chemical raw material will increase. Analysis and characterization of any