NEAR-INFRARED FOURIER-TRANSFORM RAMAN-SPECTROSCOPY OF FLAX (LINUM-USITATISSIMUM L.) STEMS

Samples of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) stem and its anatomical parts were studied by near-infrared Fourier transform Raman (NIR-FT-Raman) spectroscopy to determine if the major chemical components of each cou ld be detected by this method. The Raman spectra of reference compound s from relatively pure materials served as models for the chemical com ponents. Bands for cellulose were greatest in the fibers. Hemicellulos ic polysaccharides were observed to be prevalent in bast tissue and fi bers. Weak signals for pectins were observed in the best, cuticle/epid ermis, fibers, and stem. Bands for aromatic rings were detectable in a ll materials. Bands from waxes/fatty acid esters were detectable in th e cuticle/epidermal tissue. The results indicated that NIR-FT-Raman co uld be used detect the major chemical components in flax in situ and p rovide a simple, rapid, and noninvasive assessment of their relative a mounts and location within the tissues of the flax plant.