Blanqueo de la fibra de celulosa de paja de caña de azúcar (Saccharum spp.) con peróxido de hidrógeno

Objective: Optimize the treatment of cellulose bleaching, replacing the use of sodium hypochlorite with hydrogen peroxide. Design/methodology/approach: A completely randomized design was used, the treatments were six processes of cellulose bleaching, which were carried out with 18 repetitions. To extract the cellulose, the artisanal method and 40 g of straw were used per treatment. The extraction and yield of cellulose and cellulose fiber, whiteness, crystallinity, granule size, purity of the cellulose and an economic analysis of the cost of the bleaching process were evaluated. Results: The average cellulose fiber extracted was 14 g, meaning that the yield of cellulose fiber was 35%. The average cellulose was 8 g, which represents a yield of 39.9% cellulose. The whiteness with sodium hypochlorite was 86.6 %, with a crystallinity of 65.9% and the cellulose granule size was 2.6 nm, and with hydrogen peroxide whiteness was 83%, the crystallinity was 68 % and the average granule size was 2.7 nm, according to the XRD method. This means similarity in both bleaching process. According to the FTIR analysis, the cellulose bleached in both processes is similar to the cellulose structure. Limitations on study/implications: Cellulose bleaching is more expensive with hydrogen peroxide process. Findings/conclusions: The cellulose extracted from the sugar cane straw, bleached with hydrogen peroxide presents acceptable characteristics to produce artisanal paperObjetivo: Optimizar el tratamiento de blanqueo de celulosa, sustituyendo el uso de hipoclorito de sodio por peróxido de hidrógeno. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar, donde los tratamientos fueron seis procesos de blanqueo de celulosa, que se realizaron con 18 repeticiones. Para extraer la celulosa se usó el método artesanal y 40 g de paja por tratamiento. Se evaluó la extracción y rendimiento de fibra de celulosa y celulosa, blancura, cristalinidad, tamaño de gránulo, pureza de la celulosa y un análisis económico del costo del proceso de blanqueo. Resultados: El promedio de fibra de celulosa extraída fue de 14 g, esto significa que el rendimiento de fibra de celulosa fue 35 %. El promedio de celulosa fue de 8 g que representa un rendimiento de 39.9 % de celulosa. La blancura con hipoclorito de sodio fue del 86.6%, la cristalinidad de 65.9 % y un tamaño de granulo de celulosa de 2.6 nm, y con peróxido de hidrógeno fue del 83 %, la cristalinidad del 68% y el tamaño de granulo promedio fue 2.7 nm, según el método de XRD, indicando resultados similares. De acuerdo al análisis de FTIR, la celulosa blanqueada en ambos procesos, es similar a la estructura de celulosa reportada en la literatura. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: Se observó un costo más elevado en el blanqueo de la celulosa con el peróxido de hidrógeno. Hallazgos/conclusiones: La celulosa de la paja de caña de azúcar blanqueada con peróxido de hidrógeno presenta características adecuadas para elaborar papel artesanal

Characterization of cellulose and sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) straw from five cultivars grown in the humid tropic of Mexico: Characterization of cellulose and sugarcane (Saccharum spp.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the cellulose content and characteristics of sugarcane straw from the cultivars MEX 69-290, MEX 68-P-23, CO-997, SP 70-1284 and CP 72-2086. Design/methodology/approach: A completely random experimental design with six replicates was conducted; the study factor was the sugarcane straw from the five evaluated cultivars. For cellulose extraction, the sodium hydroxide (soda) method was used on dried sugarcane straw of 2 mm. The crystallinity and crystal size were determined with x-ray diffraction (XRD); the fiber length had achieved a measurement with a DMRE optical microscope.   Results: Among the results, it can be noted that the cultivars MEX 69-290 and SP 70-1284, which presented less cellulose content (8.4 g and 8.5 g) and lower yields (42.1% and 42.6%), while the cultivar CO-997, presented higher cellulose content and yield which ranged from 9.8 g to 49.8%. The crystallinity of cellulose was higher in the sugarcane straw from the cultivars SP 70-1284 and MEX 68-P23. The crystal size of cellulose was 2.3 nm. The length of cellulose fibers was small (<945.7 µm). Study limitations/implications: The collection of samples in the field, as well as selected materials for digestion. Findings/conclusions: The sugarcane straw is a potential source of cellulose for the paper industry.  Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the cellulose content and characteristics of sugarcane straw from the cultivars MEX 69-290, MEX 68-P-23, CO-997, SP 70-1284 and CP 72-2086. Design/methodology/approach: A completely random experimental design with six replicates was conducted; the study factor was the sugarcane straw from the five evaluated cultivars. For cellulose extraction, the sodium hydroxide (soda) method was used on dried sugarcane straw of 2 mm. The crystallinity and crystal size were determined with x-ray diffraction (XRD); the fiber length had achieved a measurement with a DMRE optical microscope. Results: Among the results, it can be noted that the cultivars MEX 69-290 and SP 70-1284, which presented less cellulose content (8.4 g and 8.5 g) and lower yields (42.1% and 42.6%), while the cultivar CO-997, presented higher cellulose content and yield which ranged from 9.8 g to 49.8%. The crystallinity of cellulose was higher in the sugarcane straw from the cultivars SP 70-1284 and MEX 68-P23. The crystal size of cellulose was 2.3 nm. The length of cellulose fibers was small (<945.7 µm). Study limitations/implications: The collection of samples in the field, as well as selected materials for digestion. Findings/conclusions: The sugarcane straw is a potential source of cellulose for the paper industry