Does Chip Size of the Lignocellulosic Bagasse Influence Lignin Degradation with NaOH treatment

C. Soundarrajan¹*, S. John Vennison², K. Saraswathi³ and E. S. Challary Emmanuel⁴

¹Corrosion Protection Division, Central Electrochemical Research Institute Karaikudi - 630 006 India.

²Department of Biotechnology, Anna University of Technology, Tiruchirappalli - 620 024 India.

³Department of Botany, Thiagarajar College, Madurai - 625 009 India.

⁴Department of Microbiology, St. George College, Bangalore - 560 033 India.

Corresponding Author E-mail: soundarbiotech@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Cellulose is a linear polymer of glucose in plants. It is associated with hemicelluloses and other structural polysaccharides, and surrounded by a lignin seal. The lignin encapsulation prevents enzymes and acids from accessing some regions of the cellulose polymers. Treatment of lignocellulosic wastes increases the accessible surface area of cellulose and enhances conversion of the cellulose to glucose. In present study, sieve analysis was carried out in order to study the optimum size of ligno cellulosic material required for the effective degradation of lignin. The lignocellulosic waste namely bagasse was powdered and sieved through -22,-30,-44 and -52 mesh sizes using sieve shaker and then treated with 2% NaOH. The efficacy of the treatment was analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy.

KEYWORDS: Cellulose; Lignin; Lignocellulose; FTIR

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