Highly crystalline cellulose from Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum

In relation to studies of crystalline forms in native celluloses, the authors have recently investigated cellulose from the cell walls of the alga, Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum. They believe the Rhizoclonium cellulose provides a suitable substrate for studies of structure, based on both diffractometry and spectrometry. The authors have carried out preliminary characterization based on x-ray diffraction, solid state 13C-NMR, and Raman spectroscopy. The alga here described came to their attention in the course of assessing benthal deposits exposed during a period of depressed water levels in the High Falls flowage along the Peshtigo River in northeast Wisconsin. The texture of the dried deposits seemed similar to the characteristic texture of aggregates of cellulosic fibers. An x-ray diffractogram revealed the presence of highly crystalline cellulose and led the authors to pursue identification of the alga and the more detailed characterization