Abstract:
Leaf of Ananas comosus or Pineapple is a prominent waste of pineapple processing
plants. Its fibers primarily consist of carbohydrate polymers, including cellulose,
hemicellulose, and lignin. Utilizing advanced processing techniques for pineapple
leaves enhances cellulose production. This study explores the effects of different alkali
concentrations on the properties of derived Alkali Treated Fibers (ATF) for cellulose
production. Optimizing conditions for pineapple leaf cellulose extraction is crucial,
highlighting its potential in eco-friendly packaging, bio-based composites, and textiles
for various industries. The alkali treatment was carried out using different NaOH
concentrations ranging from 0M, 0.1M, 1M, 2M, 3M, 4M, and 5M. Non-cellulosic
components can be removed using this alkali treatment. However, Cellulose can be
divided into hemicellulose when the reaction exceeds the optimum concentration. The
resulting ATF were characterized by their moisture content, production yield, chemical
composition, and functional groups. According to the experimental results, the moisture
content and yield percentage of the ATF significantly decreased as the concentration
was increased from 0M to 5M. Based on the chemical composition analysis, the 1M
concentration resulted in 80.51% optimum cellulose content while obtaining the
minimum content of hemicellulose and lignin. Also, elevated concentrations can cause
cellulose chain breakage and degradation, reducing the yield. Moreover, FTIR (Fourier
Transform Infrared) analysis revealed the effective removal of non-cellulosic
components like lignin and hemicellulose by increasing the NaOH concentration. On
the other hand, increasing the NaOH effect on the breakdown of the cellulose into
hemicellulose forms. The overall findings suggest the importance of carefully altering
the alkali concentration to achieve optimal cellulose production while minimizing
degradation.
