Optimization of Cellulose Nanocrystals from Ensete Ventricosum Pseudo Stem Fiber Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Abstract In the current world, cellulose is employed in many different applications to create cutting-edge materials like cellulose nanocrystals, which have numerous favorable uses in food packaging, medicine delivery, electronics, and many other fields. In this study, fibers from the Ensete ventricosum pseudo stem were hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid to produce cellulose nanocrystals. To get rid of non-cellulosic and amorphous components, mechanical and chemical pretreatments like water soaking, dewaxing, alkali treatment, and bleaching were carried out. The yield as responses was used to optimize the operation conditions of cellulose nanocrystals extraction from Ensete ventricosum pseudo stem fiber using Response Surface Methodology. The maximum production of cellulose nanocrystals is 39.49 percent with a crystallinity index of 69.7 percent under optimal hydrolysis conditions of 49 percent sulfuric acid concentration, 52°C hydrolysis temperature, and 36 minutes of hydrolysis time. The correctness of the results and the optimization technique itself have both been validated. Consequently, CNCs from EVPSF have potential use in a variety of fields with added value.