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

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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

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