Isolation and Characterization of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) from Rice Husk (RH)

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was extracted from local agricultural residues, rice husk (RH). RH undergone alkaline, bleaching and acid hydrolysis treatments. Nitric acid was used in the hydrolysis process as a potential acid to replace strong acids such as hydrochloric and sulphuric acids. Hydrolysis of RH was carried out by using different molarity of nitric and hydrochloric acids (control). The properties of MCC obtained such as % yield, crystallinity index (CrI) and functional group present were studied. % yield shown a comparable result regardless of different acid used. Whilst Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed the progressive removal of non-cellulosic constituents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the crystallinity increased with successive treatments regardless different molarity and acids used. The results showed potential of nitric acid to be used in MCC isolation process

Isolation and Characterization of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) from Rice Husk (RH)

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was extracted from local agricultural residues, rice husk (RH). RH undergone alkaline, bleaching and acid hydrolysis treatments. Nitric acid was used in the hydrolysis process as a potential acid to replace strong acids such as hydrochloric and sulphuric acids. Hydrolysis of RH was carried out by using different molarity of nitric and hydrochloric acids (control). The properties of MCC obtained such as % yield, crystallinity index (CrI) and functional group present were studied. % yield shown a comparable result regardless of different acid used. Whilst Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed the progressive removal of non-cellulosic constituents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the crystallinity increased with successive treatments regardless different molarity and acids used. The results showed potential of nitric acid to be used in MCC isolation process