Title
A study on cellulose from oil palm biomass as a source of bioethanol production
Authors
ELVRI MELLIATY SITINJAK, INDRA MASMUR, YENNY SITANGGANG, RYCCE SYLVIANA PRATIKHA, FERNANDO NAINGGOLAN, FAUZATU ARABICA YATASYA, TRISNO AFANDI, KRISSANDARTA TARIGAN, POLTAK EVENCUS HUTAJULU, NEW VITA MEY DESTTY and GOLFRID GULTOM

Received March 9, 2023
Published Volume 57 Issue 3-4 March-April
Keywords bioethanol, cellulose, oil palm, fronds, fibers, empty fruit bunches

Abstract
Oil palm biomass can potentially be an abundant source of cellulose in Indonesia. In this study, we isolated cellulose from oil palm biomass, including fronds, oil palm fibers, and empty fruit bunches. The isolated cellulose was hydrolyzed to produce glucose, and then fermented to ethanol. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of cellulose, with absorption peaks at 3563 cm-1 assigned to O-H stretching and at 1062 cm-1 corresponding to C-O stretching, among other characteristic peaks. The major crystalline cellulose peak was observed at 22.6°. SEM images showed that the cellulose isolated from oil palm biomass presented agglomerated fibers. The amount of glucose from the hydrolysis of cellulose fiber (63.92%) was higher, compared to that of celluloses from oil palm fronds (18.46%) and empty fruit bunches (54.81%). It was found also that oil palm fibers produced higher ethanol content than oil palm fronds and empty fruit bunches.