Xyloglucan in cellulose modification

Xyloglucans are the principal polysaccharides coating and crosslinking cellulose microfibrills in the majority of land plants. This review summarizes current knowledge of xyloglucan structures, solution properties, and the mechanism of interaction of xyloglucans with cellulose. This knowledge base forms the platform for new biomimetic methods of cellulose surface modification with applications within the fields of textile manufacture, papermaking, and materials science. Recent advances using the enzyme xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase (XET, EC 2.4.1.207) to introduce varied chemical functionality onto cellulose surfaces are highlighted.