• 2019-11-10
• H. Ayedun, T.F. Betiku, O.M. Folarin
• Volume 1, Issue 1

Abstract

Some underutilized plant materials containing cellulose is available in our environment as wastes. Modified cellulose is used industrially to produce membrane filters, textiles, thermoplastics and sheets for food packaging. There is need to look for ways of utilizing waste materials for industrial applications. The present study was carried out to isolate cellulose from stalk of palm fruits bunches using NaOH and BaCl2 solutions. The isolated cellulose was acetylated with acetic acid and acetic anhydride. The Infrared spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer model) was used to record the spectra. The spectra showed –C=O- stretch at 1741cm-1 and C-H bending at 1451cm-1 which indicated the presence of constituent structure of cellulose. The percentage acetyl calculated ranged between 9.8 to 11.3% which showed some level of acetylation which can make it useful as industrial raw material.