Extraction and Characterization of Carboxymethylcellulose from Cocoa Pod Husk

Description

Cocoa pod husk (70-75 wt.% of the fruit) is a waste that can be used containing cellulose (c.a. 35.4%). The present work evaluates the valorization of cocoa pod husk as a potential source of cellulose to obtain carboxymethylcellu-lose. A yield of 21.9% of extracted cellulose was obtained with respect to the cocoa husk flour used. Different procedures were applied to obtain carbox-ymethylcellulose (CMC), followed by a purification process, achieving a yield of 64.3%. The physical characterization of the CMC obtained was carried out using FTIR spectroscopy, and its molecular weight (183628.89 g/mol) was de-termined by its intrinsic viscosity. The CMC dispersions were tested using small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) for concentrations 3-7%, finding an evolu-tion in the rheological behavior of the systems studied.

Abstract

Selected work from the X Workshop in R&D+i & 2nd International Workshop on STEM of EPS

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