The вЂqualityвЂ™ of the fabricated textiles and natural fiber composites (NFCs) is determined by both the mechanical and chemical properties of the isolated fibers/fiber bundles and the subsequent industrial transformation process ( MГјssig, 2010 Summerscales et al., 2010 Bourmaud et al., 2018), and researchers have therefore explored the different factors influencing the quality of the finished products. In bast fiber species, the individual fiber cells (elementary fibers) are grouped together to form so-called fiber bundles. Such structures can be found in the xylem (wood fibers) and/or associated with the phloem in the outer tissues of the stem of non-woody plants (e.g., the bast fibers of flax, hemp, ramie), as well as in the walls of the fruits or the leaves of some species (e.g., cotton, kapok, sisal). From a biological point of view the fibers used in textiles and composites are single cells, much longer than they are wide and characterized by the presence of a thick secondary cell wall. Natural fibers from different plant species have long been used by man to make textiles and are now being increasingly exploited as a viable replacement for synthetic fibers in composite materials. In this paper we review how our current knowledge of the microbiology of retting has been improved by targeted metagenomics and discuss how related вЂ-omicsвЂ™ approaches might be used to fully characterize the functional capability of the retting microbiome. Recent advances in sequencing technology have allowed researchers to implement targeted metagenomics leading to a much better characterization of the microbial communities involved in retting, as well as an improved understanding of microbial dynamics. During this process microorganisms colonize the stem and produce hydrolytic enzymes that target cell wall polymers thereby facilitating the progressive destruction of the stem and fiber bundles. One important factor is the post-harvest process known as retting, representing the first step in the extraction of bast fibers from the stem of species such as flax and hemp. A better understanding of how all these factors exert their effect and how they interact is necessary to be able to optimize fiber quality for use in different industries. The mechanical and chemical properties of natural plant fibers are determined by many different factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the plant, during growth but also after harvest. 2UniversitГ© de Reims Champagne Ardenne, INRAE, UMR FARE A 614, Reims, France.Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576 вЂ“ UGSF вЂ“ UnitГ© de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France Christophe Djemiel 1, Estelle Goulas 1, Nelly Badalato 1, Brigitte Chabbert 2, Simon Hawkins 1 and SГ©bastien Grec 1*

Edouard portelette