27 October 2020 - Impact of embedding resins on the mechanical properties of plant cell walls

27 October 2020 - Impact of embedding resins on the mechanical properties of plant cell walls

The physicochemical properties and biological recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass are mainly governed by the architecture of the cell walls. However, the preparation steps of lignocellulosic samples can hinder understanding of the properties of native walls at the micro- and nanoscale.

In this study associating FARE lab, LRN, and the Universities of Bordeaux (CBMN) and Central Florida, we  have compared the impact of three resins commonly used for embedding of plant tissues (Epon, LR White, Methacrylate) on the mechanical properties of poplar fiber walls at the micro and nanometric scales. Our results show quantitative differences in the effect of the resins on the mechanical properties studied with a nanoindentation penetrator at the micro scale or a tip at the nanometer scale. Similar observations are drawn from the comparison between confocal Raman spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy at the nanometer scale. Our results highlight for the first time the effect of resin diffusion on the nanomechanical properties of plant cell walls, suggesting that LR White resin is the least diffusive for lignocellulosic wall studies.

Contact : Dr Brigitte Chabbert, brigitte.chabbert@inrae.fr

Read: Coste R, Soliman M, Bercu NB, Potiron S,  Lasri L,  Aguié-Béghin V, Tetard L, Chabbert B*,  Molinari M*. Unveiling the impact of embedding resins on the physicochemical traits of wood cell walls with subcellular functional probing. Composite Science and Technology 2021, 201, 108485. DOI

Modification date : 06 June 2023 | Publication date : 27 October 2020 | Redactor : B. Chabbert / G. Paës