Preparation of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Sugar Beet Pulp and Its Properties

Abstract

The preparation conditions of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from sugar beet pulp (Beta vulgaris) have been found. The preparation follows a scheme, which includes such steps as acid hydrolysis, alkaline hydrolysis in the presence of sodium sulfite, peroxide bleaching, and freezing with subsequent drying. The optimized conditions have allowed to achieve a 45–fold decrease in the content of lignin in the product as compared to the initial sugar beet pulp, as well as to obtain samples of microcrystalline cellulose with the polymerization degree of 73–200, sorption activity with respect to iodine of 60–100 mg I2/g MCC, and brightness of 93–100%.

Keywords

• sugar beet pulp
• parenchymatous cellulose
• acid hydrolysis
• alkaline hydrolysis
• peroxide bleaching
• microcrystalline cellulose
• freezing
• sorption activity
• brightness