Microcrystalline cellulose from Posidonia oceanica brown algae: Extraction and characterization

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomass Valorization
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Posidonia oceanica brown algae (POBA) are abundant marine biomass resources in Algerian coastal areas.
• Valorization of POBA into high-value materials like cellulose is crucial for sustainable resource management.
• Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a versatile biopolymer with numerous industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To chemically extract and characterize microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from Posidonia oceanica brown algae (POBA).
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties of the derived MCC for potential applications.
• To assess the sustainability of using marine algae as a source for cellulose production.

Main Methods:

• Chemical treatment of POBA including delignification, alkali treatment, and acid hydrolysis.
• Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical structure analysis.
• X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystallinity assessment.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological characterization.
• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for thermal stability evaluation.

Main Results:

• Successful isolation of pure microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from POBA with high crystallinity (74.23%).
• FTIR analysis confirmed significant removal of lignin and hemicellulose.
• SEM revealed a rod-like morphology for the produced MCC (average diameter 8.4 ± 2.1 μm).
• The MCC derived from POBA exhibited enhanced thermal stability compared to raw POBA and cellulose.

Conclusions:

• Posidonia oceanica brown algae can be effectively converted into high-purity microcrystalline cellulose.
• The obtained POBA-derived MCC possesses favorable physicochemical properties, including high crystallinity and thermal stability.
• This study highlights the significant potential of marine algae as a sustainable feedstock for producing valuable cellulose-based materials.