Fractionation of oil palm frond hemicelluloses by water or alkaline impregnation and steam explosion

Steam explosion of oil palm frond has been carried out under different temperatures between 180 and 210 °C for 4 min (severity of 2.96-3.84) after impregnation of the frond chips with water or KOH solution. The effects of impregnation and steam explosion conditions of oil palm fronds on the water soluble fraction and insoluble fraction were investigated. The maximum yield of hemicelluloses in water soluble fractions recovered was 23.49% and 25.33% for water and KOH impregnation, treated with steam explosion at temperature of 210 °C (severity of 3.84) with a fractionation efficiency of 77.30% and 83.32%, respectively. Under this condition, the water insoluble fractions contained celluloses at 60.83% and 64.80% for water and KOH impregnation, respectively. The steam explosion temperature of 210 °C for 4 min (log Ro 3.84) was found to be the best condition in the extraction of hemicelluloses from OPF for both types of impregnation.