Isolation and Characterization of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Distillers Grains

Although distillers grains (DG) is an inexpensive and abundant co-product that contains valuable cellulose, it is currently not being used for industrial applications. In this study, nnicrocrystalline cellulose (DGMCC) was successfully prepared from DG cellulose (DGC) using acid hydrolysis method. The effects of processing parameters like hydrochloric acid concentration, hydrolysis temperature and time on yield and degree of polymerization (DP) of DGMCC were investgated. Futhermore, DGMCC samples were characterized through various techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and compared with commercial MCC (Lowa (R) PH101). FTIR analyses demonstrated that most hemicellulose and lignin of the distillers grains fibres were removed during the extraction process. The SEM morphology shows that the DGMCC sample consisted of large round microparticles, which appear irregular but overall spherical in shape. The DGMCC was more crystalline than the native cellulose isolated from DG while maintaining the cellulose I structure. Furthermore, a good thermal stability was shown for DGMCC. Based on these analyses, DGMCC shows tremendous potential use as composites reinforcing agent, foods stabilizer and pharmaceutical additive.