Analysis of raw material
The characterization of the original Malus
domestica fibers was done according to standard
methods.12 Moisture content (8.80 ± 0.03wt. %) was
determined after drying the samples at 105 ºC for 24 h
(TAPPI T264 cm-97). Chemical composition, given on
an oven-dry weight basis, was the following: 3.25 ±
0.24% ash (TAPPI T211 om-93), 16.73 ± 0.17% hot
water soluble matter (TAPPI T207 om-93), 32.00 ±
0.57% aqueous NaOH soluble matter (TAPPI T212
om-98), 10.71 ± 0.47% ethanol-benzene extractives
(TAPPI T204 cm-97), 26.15 ± 0.09% lignin (TAPPI
T222 om-98), 57.44 ± 1.66% holocellulose13 and 27.32
± 0.23 α-cellulose.14