Physico-chemical properties and thermal stability of microcrystalline cellulose isolated from Alfa fibres

• Microcrystalline cellulose was successfully isolated from Alfa fibres.
• The physicochemical and thermal properties were comparatively investigated and explained this finding.
• Acid hydrolysis is a suitable method to produce microcrystalline cellulose.
• Alfa-MCC can potentially be used for pharmaceutics, foods and green composites applications.

In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (Alfa-MCC) was extracted from Alfa fibres using acid hydrolysis method. The molecular weight of the cellulose samples was determined by gel permeation chromatography. The crystallinities were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and solid state cross polarization magic angle spinning 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, revealing that Alfa-MCC was more crystalline than the native cellulose isolated from Alfa fibres. The morphology of the celluloses was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, showing a compact structure and a rough surface. Furthermore, a good thermal stability was shown for Alfa-MCC. Based on these analyses, Alfa-MCC showed tremendous potential use as composites reinforcing agent, foods stabilizer and pharmaceutical additive.