A rapid and simple method to isolate pure alpha-cellulose

A protocol is described to isolate small quantities of highly purified cell ulose for isotopic analysis of 10-100 mg samples of secondary (Pinus sylves tris L.) and primary (Rubus idaeus L,) plant cell wall material. Elemental analysis of 350 cellulose samples isolated from pine wood samples estimated the relative carbon content to be ca. 43.7% +/- 1.2%. This value indicates that the cellulose quality is high and that the protocol is highly reprodu cible. High-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperomet ric detection of hydrolysis products quantified the purity of the cellulose as ca. 99% for wood cellulose and primary cell wall cellulose. DRIFT spect roscopy corroborated this purity and found no evidence of cellulose degrada tion, Carbon isotopic composition of the purified cellulose using mass spec trometry was measured with an accuracy of 0.11 parts per thousand (standard deviation). The method is rapid (56 samples may be routinely processed wit hin 8 h) and requires only standard laboratory equipment and chemicals, Cop yright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.