Harnessing precursor-directed biosynthesis with glucose derivatives to access cotton fibers with enhanced physical properties

Ofir Aharon Kuperman, Peterson de Andrade, Xiao Meng Sui, Raquel Maria, Ifat Kaplan-Ashiri, Qixiang Jiang, Tanguy Terlier, Jacob Judas Kain Kirkensgaard, Robert A. Field, Filipe Natalio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Cotton ovule in vitro cultures are a promising platform for exploring biofabrication of fibers with tailored properties. When the ovules' growth medium is supplemented with chemically synthesized cellulose precursors, it results in their integration into the developing fibers, thereby tailoring their end properties. Here, we report the feeding of synthetic glucosyl phosphate derivative, 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-glucose-1-phosphate (6F-Glc-1P) to cotton ovules growing in vitro, demonstrating the metabolic incorporation of 6F-Glc into the fibers with enhanced mechanical properties and moisture-retention capacity while emphasizing the role of molecular hierarchical architecture in defining functional characteristics and mechanical properties. This incorporation strategy bypasses the early steps of conventional metabolic pathways while broadening the range of functionalities that can be employed to customize fiber end properties. Our approach combines materials science, chemistry, and plant sciences to illustrate the innovation required to find alternative solutions for sustainable production of functional cotton fibers with enhanced and emergent properties.
Original languageEnglish
Article number101963
JournalCell Reports Physical Science
Volume5
Issue number5
Early online date7 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2024

Keywords

  • cotton fibers
  • metabolic incorporation
  • modified properties
  • synthetic glucose derivatives

Cite this