Abstract text: Hemicelluloses are a diverse group of branched polysaccharides which interact with cellulose and other cell wall components. Xyloglucan has the ability to bind to cellulose microfibrils and thereby influence mechanics and growth of primary cell wall, although its exact role remains unclear. Conifers are an economically important group of trees, yet the structure and composition of their primary cell walls have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we aim to elucidate the role of hemicelluloses, particularly xyloglucan, in determining mechanical properties of conifer primary cell walls. We combine enzymatic treatment of etiolated hypocotyls of spruce Picea abies and pine Pinus sylvestris using selected hemicellulases, with mechanical testing using a universal testing machine (UTM). In parallel, we use biochemical methods and immunolabelling to analyse cell wall composition. We show that the effect of the enzymatic treatment on elastic modulus and strength of the hypocotyls depends on technical details of the applied procedure.

This research is funded by National Science Centre Poland, grant No 2022/47/B/NZ3/01972.