Characterization of cellulose acetate based on empty fruit bunches and dried jackfruit leaves as replacement candidates for microbeads

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Depok, 16424, Indonesia.

^* Coresponding author: detris@che.ui.ac.id, andersen.yunan@gmail.com

Abstract

Scrubs used in other skin care and beauty products usually contain tiny fine grains of synthetic polymer called microbeads that usually pose threats to marine environment. Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) and Dried Jackfruit Leaves (DJL) as organic and environmentally friendly can be alternative sources for polymer microbeads. Cellulose acetate is prepared by acetylation reaction between cellulose and acetic acid anhydride. Cellulose from EFB and DJL was extracted through a process of delignification with 12% NaOH treatment for EFB and 10% for DJL to obtain maximum yields of 38.964% and 14.449% respectively, followed by bleaching using peroxide 10 %. The formed cellulose acetate with 88.5% and 79.7% yield respectively is then filtered using a sieve mash 60 and 80 to obtain particle sizes ranging that are in the microbeads size range. The density test resulting in 0.73 g/cm³ and 0.52 g/cm³ respectively for EFB and DJL. Then, physical characteristic test was done by water and oil absorption test with variation at 25°C and 40°C. EFB at 25°C and 40°C shows water absorption at 23.39% and 26.09% and oil absorption at 7.59% and 13.95%. DJL at 25°C and 40°C shows water absorption at 22.56% and 27.32% and oil absorption at 13.09% and 15.36%.