Macromolecular Complexes of Xyloglucan and Cellulose Obtained by Annealing

Macromolecular complexes composed of xyloglucan and cellulosewere produced by heating amorphous celluloses with xyloglucanin water at temperatures above 160°C. The extraction ofxyloglucan from the annealed specimens required concentratedalkali which might cause microfibrils to swell. Annealed specimensobtained by heating at 200°C had a somewhat fiber-like appearanceeven though mixtures of amorphous celluloses and xyloglucanwere completely amorphous before annealing. Annealing occursspecifically between amorphous celluloses at high temperatures,where xyloglucan may be entrapped into the bundles of cellulosefibers during fiber formation rather than bound to the surfaceof the fibers. (Received September 3, 1993; Accepted December 1, 1993)