Improved Physical and Chemical Properties of Rubber Wood (Hevea brasiliensis) Fiber by Laccase

Abstract

Cellulose and lignin are the two most abundant polymers found in plant cells. Cellulose microfibrils provide mechanical properties to woody cell whereas, hemicelluloses and lignin act as glue in between the crystalline cellulose. Cellulose crystallinity directly affects the physico-chemical behavior of the individual fiber such as modulus, hardness, stiffness, tensile and swelling-shrinkage properties and ultimately to its product. This study aims to improve the physico-chemical properties of rubber wood fiber by laccase hydrolysis in order to improve the crystalline structure. Two different times of reactions i.e., 60 and 120 min were applied at constant temperature 25°C, enzyme concentration 7 U gG 1 and pH 5. After the pulp treatment, fibers were sieved out and transferred in to autoclave at 121°C for 15 min to stop further enzyme reaction. Treated fiber was dried in electric oven drier at 80-90°C for 24 h to dry up the fiber until zero moisture content. Crystallinity index of the fiber was measured by X-ray diffraction method and it was observed maximum up to 14% higher compared to untreated fiber. The treated fiber was further analyzed for elemental composition, FE-SEM and TGA and compared with untreated fiber in order to evaluate its properties. Fiber treated with enzyme exhibited superiority in fiber surface structure and thermal degradation over untreated fibers. A fiber with improved mechanical strength and crystalline structure can be utilized for various purposes to produce high quality product.

Synthesis and characterization of nanocellulose using renewable resources through Ionic liquid medium

“…When compared to other sources of cellulose to prepare nanocellulose, MH is highly recommended because of its poorer content of lignin (6.6%) and shorter growing cycle making it comparatively a better starting material to produce nanocellulose [13,14]. RW is porous anisotropic in structure due to which it shows a rare combination of high strength, stiffness and low thickness [15]. A wide range of plants have been studied with regard to extracted cellulose and NC including rubber wood, coconut husk, rice husk, maize husk, hemp, sisal, flax, kenaf, sugar cane bagasse, etc [16].…”