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.