Importance of galacturonic Acid in controlling the retting of flax.

The empirical test was compared with the determination of pH, total acidity, and galacturonic acid (GA) as methods for establishing the termination time of the retting process in flax. The GA dosage was the best method for determining the end point of this process by distinctly dividing the phases of retting and over-retting in the bacterial loosening of flax fiber. This end point is critical in the production of standard fibers for the weaving industry.