What is the cellulose content of corn cob?

Corn cob typically contains 35 to 43 percent cellulose on a dry-matter basis, alongside 30 to 44 percent hemicellulose and 11 to 18 percent lignin. Its unusually high hemicellulose (xylan) fraction makes it the strongest common feedstock for xylo-oligosaccharide production.

What is the composition of sugarcane bagasse?

Sugarcane bagasse typically contains 40 to 45 percent cellulose, 25 to 30 percent hemicellulose and 20 to 25 percent lignin on a dry-matter basis. Its highly crystalline cellulose suits performance material and rheology-modifier production.

Which biomass has the highest xylan content?

Among common agricultural residues, corn cob has the highest xylan content at roughly 30 to 44 percent of dry matter, ahead of sugarcane bagasse at 25 to 30 percent, wheat straw at 23 to 29 percent and rice straw at 19 to 25 percent.

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The Biomass Composition Database.

Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content for the feedstocks that matter — in one place, free, and without digging through fragmented academic papers.

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Corn cob

Zea mays — cob

XOS factor: Elite

Structural breakdown

39%

34%

15%

12%

Cellulose (C6 sugars) Hemicellulose (C5 / xylan) Lignin Ash & extractives

Exceptionally rich in branched xylan structures.

Typical ranges (dry matter)

Cellulose — C6 sugars35–43%

Hemicellulose — C5 / xylan30–44%

Lignin11–18%

Bulk densityHigh

Harvest seasonsTwo

Processing fit

High xylan concentration.

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Why composition matters

Each fraction has a different destination.

Biomass is not one material. It is three polymers bound together, and each one leads to a different market at a different value.

Cellulose

The structural backbone — long, crystalline C6 sugar chains. Routes to advanced materials, performance materials, textiles and, at the lower-value end, fermentable sugars for fuels.

Hemicellulose

Branched C5 sugars — the xylan fraction. The source of specialty prebiotics, functional sweeteners and furans. The highest-value destination in this list, and the hardest to reach without degrading it.

Lignin

The complex aromatic polymer that glues the structure together. Routes to green resins, bio-based binders, carbon materials, or — most commonly today — straight into a boiler.

At a glance

All feedstocks compared.

Feedstock	Cellulose	Hemicellulose	Lignin	High-value affinity
Corn cob	35–43%	30–44%	11–18%	Ultra-high xylan source — premier prebiotic candidate
Sugarcane bagasse	40–45%	25–30%	20–25%	Highly crystalline cellulose — strong materials route
Wheat straw	35–40%	23–29%	15–20%	Balanced profile, established collection ecosystem
Rice straw	32–38%	19–25%	10–16%	Largest volume; high silica complicates purification
Microalgae	Low	Low	~0%	Protein, lipids and pigments rather than structural polymer

Each feedstock name links to its full profile. Ranges are literature-typical and vary with variety, soil, climate and harvest timing. Confirm against local assay data before using in a project assessment.

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