What We Really Know About Biosynthesis of Cellulose from Ficus palmate: A Novel Biomass Production

Abstract

Abstract Current research attention has been motivated on the successful synthesis of cellulose from biomass waste of Ficus palmate through multistep process i.e. bleaching and alkali treatment to efficiently eradicate impurities, waxy substances like pectin, cutin, waxes, extractives, hemicellulose and lignin from F. palmate. The cellulose obtained was analyzed by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The isolated cellulose has high degree of purity and crystallinity (61%) and thermal stability as verified by XRD and TGA, respectively. SEM was used for surface morphology and shape. Highly visible pores with channels were detected on the surface. Moreover it also shows that the free surface from lignin and hemicelluloses due to chemical treatment. This study indicates that the multistep procedure is quite adequate for the extraction of cellulose.