article · Journal of Biochemistry International
Agricultural waste from Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth pods, commonly known as oil bean pods, can be transformed into value-added materials. Cellulose was successfully extracted from these discarded pods through sequential treatment and subsequently converted into cellulose xanthate under alkaline conditions. Detailed physicochemical testing revealed notable shifts between the raw cellulose and the xanthate derivative, including changes in moisture, ash, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and iodine values, alongside a sharp drop in pH from 6.66 to 0.97. Spectroscopic analyses confirmed structural and elemental alterations resulting from the chemical processing, notably the emergence of carbon-sulfur related features and shifts in elemental composition. These results demonstrate that discarded pod biomass can be chemically modified into functional derivatives suitable for use in polymers, binders, adsorbents, and composite materials.
Improper disposal of agricultural residues like oil bean pods generates substantial biomass waste. Transforming these agricultural by-products into functional chemical derivatives provides an environmentally responsible approach to waste management. It also offers a renewable source of industrial raw materials, reducing dependence on synthetic inputs and demonstrating practical biomass valorisation.
This research is at an early experimental stage, focusing on laboratory synthesis and material characterisation. The findings suggest potential applications for manufacturers producing industrial polymers, binding agents, water-treatment adsorbents, and reinforced composite materials. Further scaling, formulation testing, and performance validation in specific end-use environments will be required before commercial adoption is feasible.
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The indiscriminate disposal of Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth pods contributes to biomass waste, creating an opportunity for their conversion into value-added cellulose derivatives. This study prepared cellulose xanthate from cellulose isolated from Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth pods and evaluated its physicochemical characteristics using standard procedures. Cellulose was isolated through sequential treatment, converted to cellulose xanthate under alkaline conditions, and examined by proximate analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The moisture contents of cellulose and cellulose xanthate were 7.871% and 8.144%, respectively, while ash contents were 1.1805% and 1.083%. Volatile matter values were 0.154% and 0.700%, and fixed carbon contents were 55.17% and 55.073%, respectively. The corresponding pH values were 6.66 and 0.97, whereas iodine values were 204.944 and 152.916. FTIR analysis showed characteristic bands associated with cellulose and cellulose xanthate, including O-H, C-H, C=O, and C=S-related features. EDX analysis showed differences in elemental composition, including oxygen, silicon, calcium, sodium, iron, carbon, nickel, and copper. These changes indicate that the chemical treatments used during xanthation altered the physicochemical and elemental profiles of the cellulose-derived material. The findings support the potential utilisation of cellulose xanthate derived from oil bean pod biomass in polymers, binders, adsorbents, and composite materials. Overall, the study demonstrates biomass valorisation through cellulose derivatisation.
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DOI: 10.56557/jobi/2026/v13i111055
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