Effect of KOH Solvent Concentration and Ultrasonication Time in Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE) Pretreatment on Lignocellulosic Characteristics of Empty Oil Palm Bunches
Ika Atsari Dewi (a*), Dewi Zharfaningsih(a), Ezra Ambarita (a), Ardhina Sevi Agselina (a), Sri Suhartini (a), Hendrix Yulis Setyawan (a)

Departement of Agroindustrial Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Barwijaya, Jl Veteran< Malang 65145, Indonesia
*Ikaatsaridewi[at]ub.ac.id

Abstract

Tittle : Effect of KOH Solvent Concentration and Ultrasonication Time in Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE) Pretreatment on Cellulose Characteristics of Empty Oil Palm Bunches

Oil Palm Empty Bunch (EFB) has a lignocellulosic component containing lignin (25.83%), hemicellulose (23.24%) and cellulose (33.25%). The high cellulose component in OPEFB can be maximally utilized as a raw material, one of which can be used as a reinforcing agent of various polymer composites. This is because cellulose has a degree of crystallinity and characteristics that can form hydrophilic properties, high mechanical properties, large surface area, low density, and biodegradable. To obtain cellulose with a high degree of crystallinity and suitable characteristics, a pretreatment process is required. The pretreatment process used the Akali-Ultrasonic combination method using variations in the concentration of KOH solution of 2%, 5%, and 8% w/v and ultrasonic time lengths of 10, 30, and 50 minutes with the control sample used being OPEFB without Alkali-Ultrasonic treatment. In this study, the results of the pretreatment process obtained a yield of 41.32% obtained at 2% KOH concentration and 30 minutes of ultrasonic time. The best treatment for the lignocellulosic test obtained was 5% KOH concentration and 50 minutes ultrasonic time with 15.53% lignin, 5.73% hemicellulose, and 72.85% cellulose.

Keywords: Cellulose, Lignocellulosic, Oil Palm Empty Bunches (OPEFB), Pretreatment, Ultrasonic

Topic: Agricultural Engineering