Comparison of Pineapple Leaf and Cassava Peel by Chemical Properties and Morphology Characterization

Abstract

Proper waste management in Malaysia is needed for the organic wastes such as pineapple leaf and cassava peel where affects the increase the amount of solid waste dump into landfill. Thus, to overcome this problem agro waste material can be constructed in many production industries to commercialize the use of alternative fibre for the paper industry. The main objective of this study is to demonstrate the use of fibrous in pineapple leaf and cassava peel by production of alternative fibre based on chemical properties and surface morphology characteristic. This study conducted for the chemical composition by analysed by TAPPI Test method, Chlorination method and Kuchner-Hoffner method. Every chemical components analyse; Cellulose (Kuchner-Hoofner), Holocellulose (Chlorination method), Hemicellulose (Chlorination method), Hemicellulose, Ash content (T211-om-93), Lignin content (T222-om-98) and Sodium Hydroxide soluble (T203-om-88). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe and determine the morphological characteristic of both crops. The result indicates that pineapple leaf more suitable for becoming an alternative fibre than cassava peels. Pineapple leaves have a high Holocellulose content (85.7%), cassava peels 66%, followed by Cellulose pineapple leaf (66.2%), cassava peels (37.9%). However, hemicellulose content in pineapple leaf (19.5%) less than cassava peels (37.0%). Lignin content of pineapple leaf is lower (4.2%) compared to cassava peels (7.52%) in this study. From SEM images, cassava peel contained abundance fibre such as hemicellulose and cellulose that is held by the lignin in it and Pineapple leaves give a condensed composition of fibre structure. The chemical compositions and morphology study of pineapple leaf and cassava indicate pineapple leaf have a high percentage to be used as an alternative pulp in paper making industry, promoting the green technology. However, cassava peels make some of properties that can also be through for the paper industry.