Cellulose Production from Sago Frond with Alkaline Delignification and Bleaching on Various Types of Bleach Agents

Sago frond is a lignocellulose waste that it has not been utilized optimally. The purpose of this study was to produce cellulose from sago frond with alkaline delignification and bleaching on various types of bleach agents. The study was conducted in three stages, namely a characterization of sago frond, alkaline delignification, and bleaching. Proximate analysis showed that sago fronds are potentially used as a cellulose source. The treatments of alkaline delignification and bleaching on various types of bleach agents significantly affected the characteristics of cellulose. The delignification using 10% NaOH for 2 h, after which the bleaching was carried out using the alkaline hydrogen peroxide for the same duration, thereby, producing cellulose of the highest degree of crystallinity and whiteness, while the hemicellulose and lignin contents were relatively low. Thus, sago frond has the potential to be used as a cellulose source and is widely applied.