Natural fibers from jute (Corchorus capsularis and C. olitorius) are common in commodities such as cordage, sacking, and textiles. Currently neither chemical nor microscopic methods exist to differentiate fibers or the single-celled fiber ultimates from these two jute species. Observation of physical and optical properties in this work, including a comparison of the measured length, width, and area of ultimates, revealed no differences between the species. A novel, rapid, and simplified investigation of cellulose orientation-specific Raman bands was also insufficient to identify potential differences in the angle of cellulose microfibril orientation in the cell walls. Jute can be identified and distinguished from other common vegetable fiber on the basis of its microscopic characteristics. Furthermore, other natural fibers and some synthetic fibers may be substituted in commercial goods advertised as jute. Twenty of 113 (18%) of commercially obtained jute goods analyzed herein contained non-jute fibers, the most frequent of which was polyester. Non-jute fibers appeared in textiles, sacking, and flooring products but not in geotextiles, cordage, or miscellaneous products advertised to contain jute. Photomicrographs of the commercial goods will be assembled into a publicly accessible database. A summary of products containing non-jute fibers from the database may also help guide fiber examiners toward a more thorough examination of the jute product types known to more frequently contain non-jute fibers, resulting in a more efficient use of time and resources. Further, this visual database can help standardize interpretation of vegetable fiber features among fiber analysts.
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