MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE FROM OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES: CORRELATION OF CRYSTALLINITY AND WATER ABSORPTION CAPACITY
S. Susi 12a), M. Ainuri 3b), W. Wagiman 3) and M.A. F. Falah 3)

1) Doctoral Programme of Agroindustrial Technology, Faculty of .Agricultural Technology Universitas Gadjah Mada Jl. Flora No 1 Bulaksumur Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 55281
2) Department of Agroindustrial Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarbaru Jl A Yani KM 36 Banjarbaru Kalimantan Selatan 70714
3) Department of Agroindustrial Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Gadjah Mada University, Jl. Flora No 1 Bulaksumur Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 55281

Abstract

Oil palm empty fruit bunches are one of the most abundant palm oil industrial wastes. OPEFB contains high cellulose which has the potential to be converted into its derivative products, one of which is microcrystalline cellulose. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is purified cellulose and partially depolymerized cellulose, containing both crystalline and amorphous regions. MCC was used as a biofiller and viscosity controlling agent. The characteristics of MCC depend on the nature of the fiber and the appropriate hydrolysis conditions such as acid concentration, temperature, and reaction time. HCl was widely used to modify the MCC crystallinity. The change in crystallinity will correlate with the acid concentration and duration of hydrolysis. The research examined the correlation between MCC crystallinity and its water absorption capacity. Microcrystalline cellulose is produced with variations in HCl concentration and hydrolysis periods. The results showed that the crystallinity index change was not always linear with changes in hydrolysis periods. At a certain hydrolysis periods and concentration of HCl will give high crystallinity. The hydrolysis of 1.5N HCl will give a low crystallinity index if compared to 2.5 and 3.5N HCl. There is a tendency that the longer the acid hydrolysis will decrease the water absorption capacity.

Keywords: OPEFB, microcrystalline cellulose, crystallinity water absorption capacity

Topic: Biomaterial Science