Jute Chemical Composition and Constituents
topic
Jute fibres contain 61-71% α-cellulose (degree of polymerization 3000-5000, lower than hemp and flax), 13-20% hemicellulose (mainly 4-O-methylglucurono-xylan and glucomannan), 12-13% lignin (higher than other bast fibres affecting color and processing), 0.5-1.0% pectin, 0.3-0.8% waxes and fats, 0.8-1.1% ash content, and equilibrium moisture content of 12-14% at 65% RH.
Role
The higher lignin and lower cellulose content compared to flax result in lower tensile strength, darker color requiring bleaching for textiles, and accelerated degradation under UV exposure.