Paper chromatography of irradiated cotton plant stalk

摘要

Cotton plant stalk, which is a rich source of cellulose was subjected to a dose of 1.8 * 10~8 rads of high energy gamma radiations. This gave rise to a host of degradation products. Paper chromatography showed the presence of cellobiose and glucuronic acid, arabinose and xylose, though in trace quantities. The pathway of degradation is believed to be oxidative in nature.