Composition and structure study of natural Nelumbo nucifera fiber

Nelumbo nucifera (Nn.) fiber is the isolated secondary wall of the Nn. leafstalk Tracheary elements which has a unique shape. As the shape of the fiber may strongly affect the industrial uses especially for textile usage, the morphology and structure of Nn. fiber at different growth stages were investigated by several techniques in the present work. The Nn. fiber has spriral morphology with cellulose I structure. The diameter of mature fiber is about 4 μm and the cross-section shows elliptical or slightly oval shape without lumen. These findings aim to deeply understand the structure of Nn. fiber which is expected to be helpful to bring Nn. fiber into industrial use.