1.) Synthesis of Cellulose Acetates from banana (Musa acuminata) Fiber
3.) Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) from Abacá (Musa textilis Nee)
4.) Spent Liquor for Degumming Pineapple (Ananas comosus Linn.) Fiber
5.) Small-Scale Natural Fiber Degumming Machine
Synthesis of Cellulose Acetates from banana (Musa acuminata) Fiber
Jennelie E. Caya, and Zailla P. Flores
Abstract
Cellulose diacetate (CA) and cellulose triacetate (CTA) are two of the most industrially utilized derivatives of cellulose. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of electrospun CA nanofiber membrane - a nonwoven texttile material, for biomedical applications including tissue engineering and nutraceutical delivery. In this study, CA and CTA were produced from local banana (Musa acuminata) fibers extracted from the banana pseudo-stem. The esterificationreaction of the cellulose pulp from banna fiber was carried out with acetic acid and acetic anhydride with the aid of sulfuric acid. The yield of the oven dried product and degree of substitutions (DS) are 62.08% and 70.04 %, 2.44 and 3.15 for CA and CTA, respectively. fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicate the succesful introduction of an acetyl group the cellulose backbone as evidenced by the presence of carbonyl stretch at around 1700 cm -1 for the esterified products. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed the thermal stability of the CA, having more hydroxyl groups, is a Thermally more stable derivative.
C. Abendanio, L. Labaclado, E. Manalang, and J. Leaño, Jr.
Abstract
β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) microcapsules containing peppermint (Mentha piperita) oil were prepared via co-precipitation method using the optimized β-cyclodextrin-oil mass ratio and stirring time of 3:1 and 8 h, respectively. DSC analysis confirmed effective encapsulation of the peppermint oil as evidenced by the disappearance of an exothermic peak in the thermogram of the microcapsules which was observed in the thermogram of the pure peppermint oil. The FTIR spectra of the β-CD-oil microcapsule showed major peaks corresponding to O-H (3220-3500 cm-¹), C-H (2927 cm-¹) and C-O (1150), which were identical to that of pure β-CD. It also showed that the characteristic peaks of the peppermint oil are no longer observed in the spectra of the microcapsules. The SEM images revealed the sizes of the microcapsule to be in the range of 1-20 µm and the structures are cube-like.
The microcapsules were applied on knitted cotton via pad-dry cure method with 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) as cross -linking agent. SEM analysis of the treated fabrics showed the presence of microcapsules on the fabric. Further, FTIR spectra of the treated cotton showed peaks around 1716 cm-1, corresponding to an ester carbonyl formed between BTCA and cotton and BTCA and microcapsules proving effective cross-linking. The use of BTCA enhances the scent retention of the microcapsules.
Antibacterial property assessment (AATCC 147-2004: Parallel Streak Method) showed that the treated fabrics did not exhibit antibacterial activity which was construed as a proof of the effective encapsulation of the antibacterial peppermint oil that was protected by the β-CD capsule. Durability to laundering was assessed, and the results revealed that washing enhances antibacterial activity of the treated fabric due to facilitated rupture of β-CD microcapsules, hence release of the peppermint oil and thus the observed scent and antibacterial activity. Further, the synergistic effect of BTCA in cross linking and stabilizing the microcapsules was also observed.
Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) from Abacá (Musa textilis Nee)
Joshua DQ. Olindan, Benson A. Roxas, Regina S. Gatmaytan, Julius L. Leaño Jr.
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC's) were isolated from abaca (Musa textilis Nee) fibers through sulfuric acid (H2SO4) hydrolysis. One-bath scouring and bleaching method performed three tomes yielded 98.89% total cellulose content which is suitable for the production of cellulose nanocrystals. From a series of trial isolation of CNCs, hydrolysis condition (acid concentration, acid-to-fiber ratio and temperature) was optimized at 50 % H2SO4, 20 mL acid per gram of fiber at 24°C. Hydrolysis time of scoured/bleached abaca fibers was performed from 30 - 180 min optimum time of CNC isolation (CNC90). Infrared spectra of raw abaca fibers (RAF), scoured/bleach abaca fibers (SBAF) and CNC90 were evaluated and decrease in the peaks associated with lignin and hemicelluloses was noted SBAF and CNC90 proving sufficient removal of said components. Morphological properties of the RAF and SBAF microfibrils after purification were observed through SEM imaging. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the presence of crytalline domains in the cellulose.
Crystallinity Index (Crl) values were calculated for RAF, SBAF, CNC60, CNC90, CNC120 and CNC180 with CNC90 exhibiting the highest crystallinity region of 74.21%. The further decrease in Crl values at prolonged hydrolysis time of 120 and 180 min indicated the destruction of the crystalline phase of cellulose. Hence, the optimum hydrolysis of SBAF was effective in isolating cellulose with particle sizes in the nanometer range (at least one dimension equal or less than 100 nm). Particle sizes of the isolated nanocrystals decreased with longer acid hydrolysis with an average length of 110.50 nm and width of 19.48 nm for CNC90.
Spent Liquor for Degumming Pineapple (Ananas comosus Linn.) Fiber
Eduardo M. Marin
Abstract
The PTRI established degumming condition for pineapple was used in the first batch degumming of pineapple fiber. Spent liquor of sodium hydroxide was collected, measured and made-up to its original alkaline strength and volume and was used for second batch degumming. Same procedure was followed for the spent liquor from second batch degumming which was utilizedfor third batch degumming. Degummed fibers were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties to assess the effect of using spent liquor for degumming. Results showed that made-up solutions from spent liquor were as effective as the original solution as far as gum removal is concerned. Moisture content and total cellulose of the fibers degummed with new solution and spent liquor are also comparable.
Utilization of spent liquor for second and third batch degumming resulted to lower chemical inputs and consequently, reduced waste, thereby reducing the processing and wastewater treatment costs.
Small-Scale Natural Fiber Degumming Machine
Ronald S. Pechera and Roberto O. Casero
Abstract
The invention relates to a simplified degumming machine that can process one to five kilograms of natural fibers such as pineapple, abaca, and banana, simulating the PTRI established technology without eliminating the degumping parameters of pressure, volume and temperature as customarily applied in the pilot scale processing. This invention can also be utilized as dyeing vessel for texttile-based micro enterprises.
The machine consists of two stainless steel tanks using a closed system for complete circulation and penetration of chemical solution and through rinsing of the fibers. Heat source is provided by burners for the degumming and rinsing purposes and all accessories are placed in a movable platform for ease of transfer. Processing of natural fibers is simplified and made less laborious with the aid of a pump and gate valves for liquid circulation and another gate valve for the transfer of liquids from stock tank to the main tank. Improvements were noted in processing time of 36.5%for the three fibers, increase in fiber recovery of 2.8% for pineapple, 2.5% for abaca and 2.2% for banana. A reduction of residual gum by 22.4%, 13.9% and 20.7% and fineness property improved by 7.9%, 10.6% and 8.12% for pineapple, abaca and banana, respectively. Tensile strength was significantly improved for pineapple and reduced for abaca and banana, all within the desired range if tensile strength of natural fibers for textile application at 23 to 30 Kgf for pineapple, 29 to 38 KGf for abaca and 19 to 30 Kgf for banana.
