INVESTIGATION OF MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSES EXTRACTED FROM Thaumatococcus danielli and Ficus exasperata LEAVES

Cellulose is a vital raw material used in various industrial applications. Microcrystalline celluloses were extracted from de-waxed Thaumatococcus danielli and Ficus exasperata leaves through acid hydrolysis (1.5ml nitric acid), bleaching (12g sodium chlorite) and mercerization treatments (17.5% w/v sodium hydroxide). The properties of the extracted microcrystalline celluloses were examined with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy/Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Thermogravimetry/Differential Thermogravimetry (TGA/DTA) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The leaves were found to have appreciable amount of cellulose of 30 and 37.26 % for Thaumatococcus danielli and Ficus exasperata leaves respectively. The FT-IR results showed absorption peaks at 1017-1010 cm-1 which confirmed stretching vibration of C-O-C in Thaumatococcus danielli and Ficus exasperata celluloses. This corresponds to the SEM micrograph results that proved the removal of non-cellulosic components from the surface of the celluloses. EDX results revealed predominant intrinsic elements of the celluloses as carbon, oxygen with traces of silicon and iodine. Thermal analysis showed apparent weight loss of 78.37 and 81.31% at 380oC for Thaumatococcus danielli and Ficus exasperata celluloses correspondingly. XRD results revealed high crystallinity index of 91.5 and 84.8 % with an average crystallite size of 1.015 and 1.454 nm respectively. The properties of microcrystalline celluloses obtained suggest their applications as a potential stabilizer in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and biocomposite reinforcement.