Acid and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Pretreated Cellulosic Materials as an Analytical Tool

Abstract

A rapid and accurate procedure for the quantitative analysis of cellulose in textiles based on acid and enzymatic hydrolysis was investigated. Total hydrolysis was achieved by a two-step procedure: The cellulose in the'sample was first dissolved in cadoxen and then reprecipitated. The material, thus pretreated, was then hy drolyzed with acid or enzyme catalytic agents. Hydrolysis products were detected and quantified by colorimetric, enzymic, and liquid chromatographic methods of analysis. Samples examined included cotton, rayon, Avicel®, CF-11®, and cotton/ polyester blends. The specificity of the enzyme hydrolysis method allowed analysis of raw cotton without prior purification. Results of the analyses were compared to those obtained by existing methods of analysis.