Evaluación de residuos de la cascara de theobroma cacao de la finca “Rancho Margarita” como fuente para la obtención de celulosa mediante el método de hidrólisis

Abstract

With the purpose of evaluating the residues of Theobroma cacao L shell from the "Rancho Margarita" farm as a source for obtaining cellulose through the hydrolysis method carried out an experimental research under controlled laboratory conditions. It evaluated two factors associated with the cellulose extraction method (NaOH and NaClO concentration) under different temperatures and hydrolysis times. According to their combinations obtained 9 treatments with 3 replications; taking into account the independent variables were the NaOH and NaClO concentrations and the dependent variables were the yield and purity of cellulose. For the statistical analysis of the data, the ANOVA and Tukey tests were applied whose results indicate that the raw material (Theobroma cacao), in comparison with other agro-industrial wastes could become a suitable source for obtaining cellulose derivatives. In the treatment 7 (acid hydrolysis H2SO4 at 0.4% for 60min at 60°C, alkaline hydrolysis at 5% NaOH for 120 min at 60°C, and bleaching with NaClO 5% for 300 min at 25°C) being the most efficient extractive parameters achieved at laboratory level which allow a higher yield in obtaining cellulose, besides an increase in pH during the alkaline extraction process, and an increase in the extraction of lignin content achieving higher cellulose purity. It is recommended the evaluation of another substance such as: hydrochloric acid for acid pretreatment in the extraction process in order to increase the yield and purity about a final product, as well as to evaluate the use of other alkaline substances for the extraction process to achieve an increase in cellulose extraction yield.