a b s t r a c t
Alpha-cellulose extracted from corn husks was used as the raw material for the production of food-grade
carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Preparation of CMC from husk cellulose was carried out by an etherification
process, using sodium hydroxide and monochloroacetic acid (MCA), with ethanol as the supporting
medium. Characterizations of CMC were carried out by analyzing the spectra of FTIR, XRD patterns and
SEM photomicrographs. Degree of substitution (DS) was determined with respect to particle size using
chemicalmethods. Solubility,molecular weight and DS ofCMCincreased withdecreasedcelluloseparticle
sizes. Microbiological testing of the prepared CMC was done by the pour plate method. Concentrations
of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury in the purified CMC were measured by
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy technique and found to be within the WHO/FAO recommended value.
A comparative study with CMC available in the international market was conducted. The purity of the
prepared CMC was higher, at 99.99% well above the purity of 99.5% for standard CMC. High purity CMC
showed a yield 2.4 g/g with DS 2.41, water holding capacity 5.11 g/g, oil holding capacity 1.59 g/g. The
obtained product is well suited for pharmaceutical and food additives.
©