Optimization of synthesis conditions for carboxymethyl cellulose from pineapple leaf waste using microwave-assisted heating and its application as a food thickener

Pineapple leaf waste, with its high cellulose content, can serve as alternative starting material for the production of carboxymethyl (CMC). In this study, synthesis conditions CMC from pineapple leaves via use microwave heating were optimized. Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology applied to schedule experiments optimize condition, respectively. Preparation was investigated by varying three factors, namely, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration, monochloroacetic acid (MCA) dose, etherification time. The process carboxymethylation optimized produce degree substitution (DS). Optimal condition noted be 50% (w/v) NaOH solution, 8 g MCA/g cellulose, time 16 min; such optimal resulted in maximum DS 0.78. Synthesized utilized a thickener liquid foods (water, orange juice, milk, mushroom cream soup) where 2% as-synthesized increased viscosity changed their characteristics thin nectar-like liquids.