336
15 Polyesters
Fig. 15.2 Ester linkage between C16 monomers of cutin and a glycerol
that serves as the first point of protection against ultraviolet radiation and physical
barrier from the environment. The cutin from aquatic plants comprises of the same
compounds present as that of terrestrial plants, and however, the composition of each
compound varied for the different species. This is expected as the cutin in aquatic
plants serves different functions as those in terrestrial plants where the main function
is water retention.
Although suberin is the plant polyester found mainly in the part of the plant
below the ground, the root (Li et al. 2017), it is not expected to be present in aquatic
plants. However, traces of suberin were detected in the water facing duckweed fronds
(Borisjuk et al. 2018). Suberin from terrestrial plants is used in the production of
cork used commonly in the wine bottling (Graca 2015). Their presence in aquatic
plant could therefore be of commercial interest. However, more studies are required
to fully understand their role in aquatic plants.
An important property of polymers is to have the mechanical properties required
for their applications which may include load bearing, pulling and tearing, or serving
as a barrier against water and air. Mechanical properties of cutin from plants at
15 Polyesters
Fig. 15.2 Ester linkage between C16 monomers of cutin and a glycerol
that serves as the first point of protection against ultraviolet radiation and physical
barrier from the environment. The cutin from aquatic plants comprises of the same
compounds present as that of terrestrial plants, and however, the composition of each
compound varied for the different species. This is expected as the cutin in aquatic
plants serves different functions as those in terrestrial plants where the main function
is water retention.
Although suberin is the plant polyester found mainly in the part of the plant
below the ground, the root (Li et al. 2017), it is not expected to be present in aquatic
plants. However, traces of suberin were detected in the water facing duckweed fronds
(Borisjuk et al. 2018). Suberin from terrestrial plants is used in the production of
cork used commonly in the wine bottling (Graca 2015). Their presence in aquatic
plant could therefore be of commercial interest. However, more studies are required
to fully understand their role in aquatic plants.
An important property of polymers is to have the mechanical properties required
for their applications which may include load bearing, pulling and tearing, or serving
as a barrier against water and air. Mechanical properties of cutin from plants at