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Holocellulose estimation
Holocellulose is the total carbohydrate fraction (cellulose and
hemicellulose) of the raw material and was estimated according to Wise et al.,
1946 as follows:
The raw material is ground in a laboratory Condux mill to pass a screen of
0.3 mm opening diameter and then extracted with an alcohol benzene (tolune)
mixture (1:1) for 6 hours. 5 gram of the raw material (exactly weighed) are
suspended in 150 ml water at 75C and the solution is stirred mechanically. 10
drops of glacial acetic acid and 1.5 g sodium chlorite are added and the reaction
has been allowed to proceed under vigorous stirring. After 1 hour the same
amount of reagents are added and this process is repeated until the total reaction
time was 4 hours . The solution is then cooled, filtered and washed with distilled
water until free of acid, then with acetone and left to dry. The holocellulose is then
estimated gravimetrically .
Alpha cellulose content
The term alpha cellulose describes that part of cellulose which does not
dissolve in 17.5% sodium hydroxide solution . Alpha cellulose can be determined
according to Zellcheming Merkblatt IV/29 A. About 3 g (exactly weighed) of the
sample (either pulp or holocellulose obtained from the raw material) are put in a
porcelain beaker (250 ml), then 25 ml of 17.5% NaOH are added and the sample
is left to swell for 4 minutes (time was exactly measured from the last drop), and
then pressed with a glass rod for 3 minutes. After pressing , another 25 ml of
sodium hydroxide are added and mixed thoroughly till a homogeneous paste is
obtained (mixing for about 1 minute). The beaker is then covered and left for 35
minutes at 20C . 100 ml of distilled water are then added and the material is
quickly filtered under suction using a sintered glass funnel. The filtrate is then
poured on the paste twice before washing with distilled water . After washing with
distilled water till neutrality 100 ml of 10% acetic acid are added dropwise
followed by distilled water . The temperature must be kept constant at 20C
during the whole experiment. The alpha cellulose is then estimated
gravimetrically after drying at 105- 106 C.