Extraction and characterization of cellulose from the pineapple leaf (Ananás Comosus (L) Merril) CV. VICTORY

Full text: Cellulose is the most abundant natural, renewable and biodegradable polymer in the world. Biodegradable polymers and renewable sources have gained prominence due to the constant search for materials that totally or partially replace polymers derived from petroleum. In this context, cellulose is an attractive raw material due to its easy production, since it can be recovered from agroindustrial waste, abundant sources and low cost. Among the sources of cellulose, we can highlight the fibers such as sisal, hemp, bamboo, coconut and various sources of fibers present in nature. Pineapple leaf is a promising source of cellulose not commercially exploited. The percentage of crystalline cellulose ranges from 48 to 78%, showing high potential of this fiber for cellulose extraction [1]. In the last few years, many efforts have been directed towards obtaining nanomaterials, among them, it stands out the nanocellulose, as it is provoking a furor in the industry, not only for its tempting properties, but also because its greater adhesion to polymer matrices, which facilitates production of composites. In view of the above, this work had the objective of obtaining cellulose from pineapple leaf (Ananás comosus) of the variety Vitoria, a variety not yet studied since this species of pineapple was created in laboratory in 2006 [2]. Thus, the cellulose extraction in this work was made by the hydrolysis method with acetic acid (C₃H₄O₂) and sodium chlorite (NaClO₂). In addition, the morphological and thermal properties of the in natura material and cellulose extracted by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). [1] Neto,A. R. S.Characterization and comparative of thermal,chemical and morphological properties of six pineapple leaf,2013. [2] Ventura, J.A.;Cabral, J.R.;Matos, A. P.; Costa,H."Vitória", nova cultivar de abacaxi, Incaper,2006. (author)