Sago seed shell: determination of the composition and isolation of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)

Sago seed shells are agricultural wastes that are discarded after taking the pith. The composition of sago seed shells has been determined by using standard methods. Parameters such as extractives (ASTM D1107-96), Klason lignin (ASTM D1106-96), holocellulose (Wise et al. in Paper Trade J 122(2):35–42, 1946), α-cellulose (ASTM D 1103-60), hemicellulose (by difference) and ash content (T 211 om 02) were determined. The components were characterised using FTIR, TGA, XRD, SEM, TEM and AFM. The detailed spectral, thermal, XRD and SEM analyses show the presence Klason lignin, holocellulose and α-cellulose. α-Cellulose has been converted into microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by acid hydrolysis. MCC was also characterised by using FTIR, TGA, XRD, SEM, TEM and AFM. Frequencies of the FTIR spectrum are similar to those of α-cellulose, and the TGA data reveal increased decomposition temperatures for MCC and well as a well defined TGA curve, indicating the increased structural order or crystallinity. This is further supported by XRD. SEM, TEM and AFM results, which reveal the microstructural behavior of isolated MCC.