BioResources (Mar 2011)
CELLULOSE PHOSPHATE FROM OIL PALM BIOMASS AS POTENTIAL BIOMATERIALS
Abstract
The present study investigates cellulose phosphate from oil palm biomass (OPEFB-CP) as a potential biomaterial. To this effect, oil palm biomass microcrystalline cellulose (OPEFB-MCC) was phosphorylated using the H3PO4/ P2O5/ Et3PO4/ hexanol method. Characterization of OPEFB-CP was performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The cytotoxicity evaluation of OPEFB-CP was conducted on mouse connective tissue fibroblast cells (L929) using MTS Assay analysis, and the proliferation rate of OPEFB-CP on L929 was assessed by the indirect extraction method, whilst mineralization assessment was carried out by immersion of the material in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) for 30 days. Disruption of the crystalline structure of OPEFB-MCC, changes in surface morphology of OPEFB-CP, the presence of new FTIR peaks on OPEFB-CP at 2380 cm-1 and 1380 cm-1, and a smaller rate of mass loss of OPEFB-CP are indications of a successful grafting of phosphate groups. OPEFB-CP showed non-cytotoxic in vitro biocompatibility after 72h exposure with an IC-50 value 45mg/mL and a proliferation rate of up to 8 days with no change in cells morphology below the IC-50 concentration. Apatite formation was observed on OPEFB-CP surfaces after 30 days in SBF with a Ca:P ratio of 1.85.
