EFFECT OF ALKALINE TREATMENT ON MORPHOLOGY AND BIODEGRADATION OF BAGASSE AND MAIZE CELLULOSE

This study investigates the biodegradation behaviour of cellulose extracted from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and maize using chemical treatments involving sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium chlorite, and buffer solutions (NaOH and glacial acetic acid). The extraction process yielded cellulose at 38.00% from SCB and 45.14% from maize, based on the weight of the raw material. The resulting celluloses were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirming their structural and chemical integrity. Biodegradability was evaluated through composting tests, revealing weight losses of 9.08% for SCB cellulose and 29.47% for maize cellulose. The higher degradation rate of maize-derived cellulose suggests enhanced biodegradability.