Evaluation of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) as Protein Adsorbent in stick water

The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of CNCs as protein adsorbent in stick water. Three different sources of stick water (Equalizer Tank, Aeration Tank and Final Discharge Tank) were collected from waste stream at Protigam Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Penang. CNCs was modified via two methods; (1) Modification of CNCs surface using TEMPO-oxidation and (2) Fabrication of magnetic CNCs by manipulation of electrostatic self-assembly technique between modified CNCs and iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). Modification of CNC involved a change of primary alcohol in CNCs structure into RCOO-carboxylate. It was postulated that a stable conjugate amide bond is achieved through carbodiimide-coupling reaction when reacted with protein in stick water. The function of magnetic CNCs in this system serves as separation technique where the recovered protein using CNCs in stick water was separated using magnet. Evidence of protein recovery was identified using Bradford essay and FTIR characterization. It was found that the highest value of protein recovered from modified CNCs was 90.1% in Aeration tank compared to Equalizer Tank and Final Discharge Tank. FTIR spectra peak for protein also clearly seen in between 1700-1600 cm(-1) conforming the C=O and 3291 cm(-1) corresponding to amine group of NH2. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.