EXTRACTION, PHYSICOCHEMICAL, AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOCELLULOSE FROM PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus) PEELS WITHPOTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE PAPER APPLICATIONS

Authors

  • Enebi Jasper
    Dennis Osadebay University Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6563-822X
  • Abigail Isoje
    Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Yvonne Marshall-Enudi
    Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Clare Chigbufe
    Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Bright Agwogie
    Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Adeiza Omeiza
    Kaduna State University, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • Oteiva Frank
    INDORAMA-Eleme Petrochemicals Ltd, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Nanocellulose , agrowaste , Sustainable paper production , valorization , Crystallinity

Abstract

The heavy reliance on wood-based pulp for paper production accelerates significant loss of biodiversity, deforestation, and increased greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable non-wood alternatives. In this study, nanocellulose was extracted from pineapple (Ananas comosus) peels, an abundant and underutilized agro-industrial waste, and comprehensively characterized to evaluate its physicochemical and structural properties. Cellulose was isolated from powdered pineapple peels through sequential alkaline delignification and bleaching, followed by acid hydrolysis to obtain nanocellulose. The resulting nanocellulose was characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), while key hydration-related parameters were measured. A cellulose-based nanocellulose yield of 7.5 % was obtained, corresponding to a biomass-based yield of 12.9 %, with a bulk density of 0.55 g/mL and a water retention capacity of 0.25 g/g. FTIR spectra confirmed effective removal of lignin and hemicellulose, SEM revealed nanoscale fibrillar morphology, and XRD showed an increase in crystallinity index from 67.09 % (bleached cellulose) to 69.40 % in nanocellulose, indicating an enhanced structural order. Overall, the findings demonstrate that pineapple peel-derived nanocellulose exhibits desirable physicochemical and morphological characteristics suitable for sustainable paper applications. The observed structural features and hydration behavior suggest that pineapple peel-derived nanocellulose has characteristics that may be favorable for cellulose-based material development, supporting its potential use in sustainable paper-related applications.

Author Biographies

Enebi Jasper

Department of Chemistry

Abigail Isoje

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Yvonne Marshall-Enudi

Department of Chemistry

Clare Chigbufe

Department of Chemistry

Bright Agwogie

Department of Chemistry

Adeiza Omeiza

Department of Chemistry

Oteiva Frank

QAQC Department

Dimensions

Beck-Candanedo, S., Roman, M. and Gray, D. G. (2005). Effect of reaction conditions on the properties and behavior of wood cellulose nanocrystals suspensions. Biomacromolecules, 6(2), 1048–1054. https://doi.org/10.1021/bm049300p

Bigi, F., Maurizzi, E., Haghighi, H., Siesler, H. W., Licciardello, F. and Pulvirenti, A. (2023). Waste orange peels as a source of cellulose nanocrystals and their use for the development of nanocomposite films. Foods, 12(5), 960. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12050960/

Chen, Y., Li, J., Xu, Y. and Wang, Z. (2021). Effect of the chemical treatment sequence on pineapple peel fiber: Chemical composition and thermal degradation behavior. Cellulose, 29(2), 1123–1136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-022-04806-0/

Dai, H., Ou, S., Huang, Y. and Huang, H. (2018). Utilization of pineapple peel for production of nanocellulose and film application. Cellulose, 25(3), 1743–1756. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1671-0/

Esquivel-Alfaro, M., Rojas-Carrillo, O., Sulbarán-Rangel, B., Rodríguez-Barquero, L., Palacios-Hinestroza, H. and Rojas, O. J. (2025). Pineapple-derived nanocellulose for nanocomposites: Extraction, processing, and properties. Journal of Composites Science, 9(12), 652. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9120652

FAO Codex Committee on Codex Specifications (2008). Codex Alimentarius: Guidelines on Dietary Fibre Analysis. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Fouda-Mbanga, B. G. and Tywabi-Ngeva, Z. (2022). Application of pineapple waste to the removal of toxic contaminants: A review. Toxics, 10(10), 561. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100561/

Hachaichi, A., Kallel, F., Chaabouni, S. E. and Ellouze, M. (2021). Nanocrystalline cellulose from microcrystalline cellulose of date palm fibers as a promising candidate for bio-nanocomposites: Isolation and characterization. Materials, 14(18), 5313. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14185313/

Hashemzehi, M., Mesic, B., Sjöstrand, B. and Naqvi, M. (2022). A comprehensive review of nanocellulose modification and applications in papermaking and packaging: Challenges, technical solutions, and perspectives. BioResources, 17(2), 3718-3780.

Hikal, W., Mahmoud, A., Said-Al Ahl, H., Bratovcic, A., Tkachenko, K., Kačániová, M. and Rodriguez, R. (2021). Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr.), waste streams, characterisation and valorisation: An Overview. Open Journal of Ecology, 11, 610-634. DOI: 10.4236/oje.2021.119039

Khan, M. N., Ditta, A., Sharif, A., Farooqi, Z. H., Rehman, N., Ahmed, E., Din, M. I., Tariq, M., Iqbal, R., Basuliman, O. A., Ali, I., Bawazeer, S. and Bawazeer, S. (2024). Production of nanocellulose from lignocellulosic biomass and its potential applications: A review. Global NEST Journal, 26(4), 05604. https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.005604/

Kian, Lau Kia, Mohammad Jawaid, Hidayah Ariffin, Zoheb Karim and M. T. H. Sultan (2019). Morphological, physico-chemical, and thermal properties of cellulose nanowhiskers from roselle fibers. Cellulose 26(6), 6599–6613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-019-02543-5/

Madureira, A. R., Atatoprak, T., Çabuk, D., Sousa, F., Pullar, R. C. and Pintado, M. (2018). Extraction and characterisation of cellulose nanocrystals from pineapple peel. International Journal of Food Studies, 7(1), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.7455/IJFS/7.1.2018.A3/

Nagarajan, K. J., Balaji, A. N. and Thanga Kasi Rajan, S. (2019). Effect of sulfuric acid reaction time on the properties and behavior of cellulose nanocrystals from Cocos nucifera var.-Aurantiaca peduncle’s cellulose microfibers. Materials Research Express, 6(12), 125333. https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ab5a9d

Nguyen, C. T. X., Bui, K. H., Truong, B. Y., Do, N. H. N. and Le, P. T. K. (2021). Nanocellulose from pineapple leaf and its applications towards high-value engineering materials. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 89, 19–24. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET2189004/

Okeke, C. G., Otuu, F. C. and Christopher, C. (2021). Functional properties of cassava peel cellulose, plantain peel cellulose and commercial cellulose: A comparative analysis. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT), 15(7 Ser. I), 47–52. Retrieved from https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jestft/papers/Vol15-Issue7/Ser-1/G1507014752.pdf/

Pelissari, F. M., Sobral, P. J. D. and Menegalli, F. C. (2014). Isolation and characterization of cellulose nanofibers from banana peels. Cellulose, 21, 417–432. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-013-0138-6/

Picot-Allain, M. C. N. and Emmambux, M. N. (2023). Isolation, characterization, and application of nanocellulose from agro-industrial by-products: A review. Food Reviews Int’l, 39(2), 941–969. https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2021.1928689/

Prakhongpan, S., Nitithamyong, A. and Luangpituksa, P. (2002). Dietary fiber from sugarcane bagasse and its application in bread. Food Science and Technology International, 8(5), 355–361. https://doi.org/10.1177/108201320200800507/

Sethupathi, M., Khumalo, M. V., Skosana, S. J. and Muniyasamy, S. (2024). Recent developments of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) utilization in the polymer composites—A review. Separations, 11(8), 245. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11080245/

Tiwari, A. and Sanjog, J. (2023). Nanocellulose from agricultural waste – A concise insight into extraction and applications. Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 39(5), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.13005/ojc/390522

Velázquez, M. E., Ferreiro, O. B., Menezes, D. B., Corrales-Ureña, Y., Vega-Baudrit, J. R. and Rivaldi, J. D. (2022). Nanocellulose extracted from paraguayan residual agro-industrial biomass: Extraction process, physicochemical and morphological characterization. Sustainability, 14(18), 11386. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811386/

Zuluaga, R., Putaux, J. L., Restrepo, A., Mondragon, I. and Gañán, P. (2009). Cellulose microfibrils from banana rachis: Effect of alkaline treatments on structural and morphological features. Carbohydrate Polymers, 76(1), 51–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2008.09.024/

Published

11-02-2026

How to Cite

EXTRACTION, PHYSICOCHEMICAL, AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOCELLULOSE FROM PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus) PEELS WITHPOTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE PAPER APPLICATIONS. (2026). FULafia Journal of Science and Technology , 10(1), 117-124. https://doi.org/10.62050/fjst2026.v10n1.715

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026): Fulafia Journal of Science and Technology (FJST)

Section

Physical Sciences
Copyright & Licensing

How to Cite

EXTRACTION, PHYSICOCHEMICAL, AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOCELLULOSE FROM PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus) PEELS WITHPOTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE PAPER APPLICATIONS. (2026). FULafia Journal of Science and Technology , 10(1), 117-124. https://doi.org/10.62050/fjst2026.v10n1.715

Similar Articles

11-20 of 78

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.