Characterization of Cellulose from Cocoa Pod Husk (Theobroma cacao L.) on various concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide and Bleaching Temperature

Abstract

Cocoa pod husk (CPH) is a byproduct of cocoa processing that is abundant and has a low economical value.  CPH cellulose can be obtained using the delignification and bleaching process. This study aimed to determine  the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration and bleaching process temperature on the characteristics  of CPH cellulose and to determine the best treatment to extract CPH cellulose. This research uses a factorial  randomized block design, consists of two factors. The first factor is H2O2 concentration, which consists of  10%, 20%, and 30%. The second factor is bleaching temperature, which consists of 60oC, 80oC, and 100oC.  The data were analyzed by analysis of variance and continued with the Tukey test. The observed variables  were yield, whiteness index, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin content. Best treatments were determined  using the effectiveness index. The results showed that H2O2 concentration and bleaching process temperature  had a significant effect on yield, whiteness index, cellulose, and lignin content of a bleached CPH. Bleaching  temperature had a significant effect, but H2O2 concentration had an insignificant effect on hemicellulose  content. Interactions between treatments had a significant effect on whiteness index and cellulose content but  had no significant effect to yield, hemicellulose, and lignin content of a bleached CPH. The best treatment was  obtained using a combination of 30% H2O2 and 100oC bleaching temperature, resulting in 16.88±0.12% yield,  59.67±0.50% whiteness index, 70.40±0.44% cellulose, 6.33±0.19% hemicellulose, and 4.49±0.46% lignin  content.