Preparation and Characterization of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Lucerne (Medicago sativa) Waste Fibers as Food Additive

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Academic Staff

2 Department of Chemical Technologies, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology

Abstract

One of the cellulose derivatives is microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), that is widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries as excipients, anti-caking agents, emulsifiers, binders, disintegrating agents, dispersants, emulsion stabilizers, thermal stabilizers and carriers for fast drying and tableting agents. In this study, MCC was prepared from dried Lucerne (alfalfa) waste fibers of which the pigments were already extracted as food colorants. This cheap and renewable raw material was converted to MCC by conventional methods including dewaxing, de-lignification, bleaching and acid hydrolysis. Commercial microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH-101) was used as reference compound for comparative studies. For characterization of prepared MCC, particle size analysis (PSA) was performed. The results of the particle size analysis showed mean particle size of the prepared sample was approximately 26 µm. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of prepared MCC showed similar spectra to that the commercial MCC. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the prepared MCC in comparison to that of the commercial MCC contain three main stages of weight changes. TGA behavior of both samples are matching together. In order to study the crystallin structure of the prepared MCC, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out. The XRD pattern from prepared MCC was similar to that of commercial one. The SEM images of Lucerne (alfalfa) and the commercial MCC showed that microcrystals of both MCC have similar morphology. They both represent an irregular, agglomerated, and elongated morphology. Overall, the properties of the prepared MCC are comparable to those of the commercial type, and can be used as food and pharmaceutical additives.

Graphical Abstract

Preparation and Characterization of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Lucerne (Medicago sativa) Waste Fibers as Food Additive

Highlights

  • Microcrystalline cellulose has been prepared from the alfalfa fibers wastes after extraction of natural pigments.
  • Dewaxing, de-lignification, bleaching and acid hydrolysis reactions have been used in this processes.
  • The prepared microcrystalline cellulose is compatible with the commercial sample and can be used in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Innovative Food Technologies
Volume 10, Issue 1
November 2022
Pages 87-99

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 September 2022
  • Revise Date: 25 October 2022
  • Accept Date: 28 October 2022

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