Chemical Profiling of Washed and Mechanically Cleaned Cotton

Abstract

Cotton samples were analyzed after water washing or mechanical cleaning to com pare the effects of such processes on chemical content of the bulk cotton. Water extracts of the samples were analyzed for organic carbon content by measuring total organic carbon and for ionizable species by measuring conductance. Total solids content and pH of the extracts were also determined before and after washing or cleaning. The level of noncellulosic organic compounds in the bulk samples was evaluated by extraction of the cotton samples with 2-amiftoethanot. The effect of washing and cleaning on volatiles evolved from the bulk samples was compared by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry measurements. All analyses of water extracts showed only slight changes after mechanical cleaning on a Shirley Analyzer, while large decreases in all values were found after water washing. Analyses of water extracts of cottons washed in the laboratory gave results close to those obtained on a "medical grade" cotton.