Preparation of food grade carboxymethyl cellulose from corn husk agrowaste.
Alpha-cellulose extracted from corn husks was used as the raw material for the production of food-grade carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Preparation of CMC from husk cellulose was carried out by an etherification process, using sodium hydroxide and monochloroacetic acid (MCA), with ethanol as the supporting medium. Characterizations of CMC were carried out by analyzing the spectra of FTIR, XRD patterns and SEM photomicrographs. Degree of substitution (DS) was determined with respect to particle size using chemical methods. Solubility, molecular weight and DS of CMC increased with decreased cellulose particle sizes. Microbiological testing of the prepared CMC was done by the pour plate method. Concentrations of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury in the purified CMC were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy technique and found to be within the WHO/FAO recommended value. A comparative study with CMC available in the international market was conducted. The purity of the prepared CMC was higher, at 99.99% well above the purity of 99.5% for standard CMC. High purity CMC showed a yield 2.4 g/g with DS 2.41, water holding capacity 5.11 g/g, oil holding capacity 1.59 g/g. The obtained product is well suited for pharmaceutical and food additives.
Polymer and Textile Research Lab., Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh. Electronic address: mihmondal@yahoo.com.
Md Ibrahim H
MI
Mondal
Polymer and Textile Research Lab., Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh.
Mst Sarmina
MS
Yeasmin
Polymer and Textile Research Lab., Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh.
Md Saifur
MS
Rahman
D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005504:Food Analysis; D019649:Food Industry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D014866:Waste Products; D014867:Water; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
D000085:Acetates; D014866:Waste Products; D002104:Cadmium; D014867:Water; D007854:Lead; D000431:Ethanol; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; C006972:chloroacetic acid; D002482:Cellulose; D008628:Mercury; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D001151:Arsenic
Carboxymethyl cellulose; Cellulose; Corn husk; Etherification; Food grade