ICAR-National Institute of Research on Jute and Allied Fibre Technology, 12 Regent Park, Kolkata-700040, India
*Corresponding author: dpray2017@gmail.com
Online published on 27 September, 2018.
In India, a huge quantity of jute (Corchorus spp.) stick is being produced as a primary by-product of jute fibre (economic part) cultivation every year, and the common practice in vogue is to burn such resides as firewood for domestic energy purposes. Present study aimed to utilize this jute stick alpha cellulose as raw material for synthesis of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) under microwave radiation. The samples were characterized by FTIR and degree of polymerization. Effect of various mineral acids under microwave radiation were also tested. This study reported a new method for preparing MCC from jute stick alpha cellulose by microwave radiation (650W for 45 min at 80°C). The order of finer MCC was HCl>HNO3> H2SO4 whereas, the yield order was HCl>H2SO4> HNO3. The developed MCC could be explored for pharmaceutical and other applications.
A microwave assisted method for preparation of MCC from jute stick alpha cellulose was developed.
Mineral acids had strong influence on the properties of MCC developed.
Finer MCC was obtained in the order of HCl>HNO3> H2SO4
Jute stick cellulose, Microwave, Microcrystalline cellulose
