Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 21 No 5 (2017): 1065 - 1073

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17576/mjas-2017-2105-08

 

 

 

EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLULOSE FROM AGRICULTURAL RESIDUE - OIL PALM FRONDS

 

(Pengekstrakan dan Pencirian Selulosa daripada Bahan Buangan Pertanian - Pelepah Kelapa Sawit)

 

Siti Rasila Ainaa Mohd Rasli¹, Ishak Ahmad², Azwan Mat Lazim², Ainon Hamzah¹*

 

¹School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology

 ²School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author:  ainonh@gmail.com

 

 

Received: 4 March 2017; Accepted: 22 August 2017

 

 

Abstract

Cellulose from oil palm fronds (OPF) was extracted using a cost-effective method combining physical treatment (high pressure steaming) and repeated chemical treatments (alkali and bleaching). Alkali and bleaching treatments were performed using low concentrations of sodium hydroxide and sodium chlorite, respectively. High levels of cellulose were successfully extracted, with 4 grams of cellulose for every 10 grams of raw oil palm fronds. The morphology of the cellulose was investigated using variable pressure scanning electron microscope (VPSEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) were used for structural analysis. The extracted cellulose was found to have smaller diameter (8 – 10 µm) and smoother surface compared to the untreated fibres. The results from FTIR, XRD and TGA indicate that the hemicelluloses and lignin were extensively removed from the isolated cellulose. Alkali treatment helped in removal of hemicelluloses, while bleaching assisted in delignification. The extracted cellulose showed high crystalline index of 68.75% and degradation temperature of 350 ^oC resulted from removal of lignin and hemicelluloses via alkali and bleaching treatments.

 

Keywords:   Elaeis guineensis, high pressure steaming, alkali treatment, bleaching treatment, cellulose

 

Abstrak

Selulosa telah diekstrak daripada pelepah kelapa sawit dengan menggunakan kaedah yang menjimatkan kos iaitu gabungan kaedah fizikal (pemanasan pada tekanan tinggi) dan rawatan kimia (alkali dan pelunturan). Rawatan alkali dilakukan dengan menggunakan sodium hidroksida manakala rawatan pelunturan pula dilakukan dengan menggunakan sodium klorit. Kedua-dua bahan kimia tersebut digunakan pada kepekatan yang rendah. Sebanyak 4 gram selulosa berjaya diekstrak daripada setiap 10 gram pelepah kelapa sawit. Morfologi selulosa yang diekstrak telah dikaji dengan menggunakan mikroskopi elektron pengimbas tekanan berubah-ubah (VPSEM). Manakala spektroskopi inframerah transformasi Fourier (FTIR), analisis belauan sinar-X (XRD) dan analisis termogravimetri (TGA) telah digunakan bagi tujuan menganalisis struktur selulosa. Selulosa yang diekstrak mempunyai diameter yang lebih kecil (8 – 10 µm) dan permukaan yang lebih licin berbanding gentian yang tidak dirawat. Hasil daripada FTIR, XRD dan TGA menunjukkan bahawa hemiselulosa dan lignin telah dibuang dalam jumlah yang tinggi selepas rawatan-rawatan tersebut dijalankan. Rawatan alkali membantu membuang hemiselulosa manakala rawatan pelunturan pula membantu membuang lignin daripada sampel. Selulosa yang diekstrak mempunyai tahap kristal yang tinggi iaitu 68.75% dan suhu degradasi yang tinggi iaitu 350 ^oC berikutan daripada pembuangan hemiselulosa dan lignin selepas rawatan alkali dan pelunturan dilakukan.

 

Kata kunci:   Elaeis guineensis, pemanasan pada tekanan tinggi, rawatan alkali, rawatan pelunturan, selulosa

 

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