Production of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) From Rubber Seed (Hevea brasiliensis) Shells
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a cellulose derivative utilized as a thickener in food processing, as well as in non-food items including paints and detergents. In this study, CMC was produced from cellulose which was obtained from rubber seed shells (RSS). The CMC was produced from cellulose by mercerization with 30% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution and etherified using monochloroacetic acid. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to characterize the CMC produced therein. The amount of cellulose extracted from RSS was 55.15 %.