January 21, 2026 | South African Journal of Chemical Engineering |
This study conducted by Jimma University, Ethiopia, examined the extraction of nanocellulose from pineapple leaf waste and the optimization of key process parameters affecting yield. Pineapple leaves are an abundant agricultural by-product with high cellulose content, making them a promising raw material for value-added bioproducts such as nanocellulose. However, extraction efficiency is strongly influenced by processing conditions.
The chemical composition of pineapple leaf waste was first determined, confirming a high cellulose content alongside hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives. Nanocellulose was produced through sequential alkali treatment, delignification, and hydrochloric acid hydrolysis. A central composite design and response surface methodology were applied to evaluate the effects of reaction time, temperature, acid concentration, and acid-to-fiber ratio on nanocellulose yield. The optimal conditions yielded 76.2% nanocellulose at 42.5 minutes, 60.5 °C, 4 M acid concentration, and a feedstock-to-acid ratio of 1:20 (g/mL).
Characterization using FTIR, DLS, XRD, and TGA showed effective removal of non-cellulosic components, an average particle size of 23.87 nm, increased crystallinity, and improved thermal stability compared with raw pineapple leaf material. These findings demonstrate that pineapple leaf waste can be efficiently converted into high-quality nanocellulose, supporting its potential use in sustainable material applications.
