Analysis of Flax Fiber Cell-Wall Non-Cellulosic Polysaccharides Under Different Weather Conditions (Marylin Variety)

The cell-wall composition has been analyzed for 13 batches of flax fibers grown over 3 years under 3 different weather conditions including a ‘normal one, a harsh drought and a rainy weather. It was found that both stresses, drought and excess of rain induced a decrease of uronic acid in the matrix and an increase of the structuring pectins. Besides, a drought led to an increase of hemicellulose polysaccharides (+24%) whereas an excess of rainfall caused a rise in the amount of so-called structuring pectins (+67%). As the fiber’s mechanical properties remained the same over the years, it was assumed that the cell-wall composition was modified to preserve the mechanical role of the fiber in the stem.