Effect of Ionic Liquids on Oil Palm Biomass Fiber Dissolution
Mohd Basyaruddin Abdul Rahman,
Zati Ismah Ishak,
Khairulazhar Jumbri,
Astimar Abdul Aziz,
Mahiran Basri,
Abu Bakar Salleh
Affiliations
Mohd Basyaruddin Abdul Rahman
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Enzyme and Microbial Technology Research Centre (EMTech), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Malaysia
Zati Ismah Ishak
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Malaysia
Khairulazhar Jumbri
Centre of Research in Ionic Liquids (CORILs), Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia; Malaysia
Astimar Abdul Aziz
Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Agro Product Unit, Engineering & Processing Division, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia; Malaysia
Mahiran Basri
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Enzyme and Microbial Technology Research Centre (EMTech), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Malaysia
Abu Bakar Salleh
Enzyme and Microbial Technology Research Centre (EMTech), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Malaysia
Ionic liquids (ILs) were used in the dissolution of oil palm biomass, primarily empty fruit bunches (EFB), oil palm fronds (OPF), and oil palm trunks (OPT). These ILs acted as alternative solvents that could dissolve biopolymer molecules up to 5 wt.%. The IL, [emim][OAc] was the best solvent, dissolving EFB, OPF, and OPT of 99%, 100%, and 97%, respectively, at 100 ⁰C and 16 h. The lignin content of the regenerated oil palm solids for all biomass was quantified and showed significant reduction up to 35%; fiber length was also reduced as the heating time increased after IL dissolution. Also, the effect of ILs on the different parts of oil palm biomass fibers was thoroughly studied. The lignin content was quantified.
