Preparation and Extraction of Alpha Cellulose and Synthesis of Microcrystalline Cellulose From Agro-Waste (Pineapple Leaves)

Abstract

Microcrystalline cellulose (C6H10O5) is purified, white free-flowing powder partially depolymerized cellulose prepared by treating alpha cellulose, obtained as a pulp from fibrous plant material. There are various fibrous materials such as rice husk, wheat husk, coconut husk, and cotton yarn, which contain cellulose can be used as a raw material. The chemical composition of these materials detects 65-70% cellulose content. The motive of our project is to highlight the significance of 3R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. There are many agricultural waste materials in our environment which can be recycled and transformed into new products. This project admitted this policy and chose the agricultural waste material of pineapple leaves. First pretreatment was done of the raw materials. Then they were given various chemical treatment such as acid hydrolysis, bleaching, etc. After successful extraction of alpha cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose, samples were sent for analysis which was FTIR the results showed the good quality of product was successfully extracted.