Application of X-ray and neutron small angle scattering techniques to study the hierarchical structure of plant cell walls: A review. (10th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martínez-Sanz, Marta; Gidley, Michael J.; Gilbert, Elliot P.
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 125(2015)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 134
• Publication Date: 2015-07-10
• Subjects: Small angle scattering -- Neutron scattering -- X-ray scattering -- Cellulose -- Plant cell wall; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.02.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Highlights: Characterisation of plant cell walls by small angle scattering techniques is reviewed. SAS techniques minimise structural alterations and cover the size range of interest. The structure of cellulose microfibrils in model plant cell walls is summarised. Strategies to study the interactions between plant cell wall components are discussed. Future perspectives in this research field are presented. Abstract: Plant cell walls present an extremely complex structure of hierarchically assembled cellulose microfibrils embedded in a multi-component matrix. The biosynthesis process determines the mechanism of cellulose crystallisation and assembly, as well as the interaction of cellulose with other cell wall components. Thus, a knowledge of cellulose microfibril and bundle architecture, and the structural role of matrix components, is crucial for understanding cell wall functional and technological roles. Small angle scattering techniques, combined with complementary methods, provide an efficient approach to characterise plant cell walls, covering a broad and relevant size range while minimising experimental artefacts derived from sample treatment. Given the system complexity, approaches such as component extraction and the use of plant cell wall analogues are typically employed to enable the interpretation of experimental results. This review summarises the current research status on the characterisation of the hierarchical structure of plant cell walls using small angle scattering techniques.