Jute as raw material for the preparation of microcrystalline cellulose

Cellulose was extracted at a yield of 59.8% from jute fibres based on the formic acid/peroxyformic acid process at an atmospheric pressure. The amounts of dissolved lignin and hemicelluloses were determined in the spent liquor. The results showed that the spent liquor contained 10.6% total sugars and 10.9% lignin (based on jute). Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was further prepared from the jute cellulose based on the acid hydrolysis technique. A very high yield, 48-52.8% (based on the jute raw material) was obtained. The acid hydrolysate of cellulose contained 2.7% glucose and 0.2% xylose. The MCC samples obtained from two different conditions, one at a low acidity and the other at a high acidity, were characterized by means of Thermo Gravimetric Analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared, X-ray detraction, Scanning Electron Micrograph, and Transmission Electron Micrograph techniques.