Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) contains about 70%-80% holocellulose; which comprises about 40%-45% and 30%-35% of cellulose and hemicelluloses respectively; and 18%-22% lignin. Cellulose is a polymer of α-D-1,4-linked anhydrous glucose units, (C₆H₁₂O₅ )n. Basically, the individual cellulose molecules are linked together to form elementary microfibrils, which, in turn are aggregated by intermolecular hydrogen bonding into larger subunits called fibrils. The microfibrils contain alternating phases of highly ordered (crystalline) and randomly oriented (amorphous) cellulose embedded in a matrix of hemicellulose (Cole, 1983). This latter carbohydrate (also known as pentosan), constituting 20% – 25% of the plant dry weight, is a branched polymer of pentose sugars, (C₅H₁₀O₄ )n. The cellulose and hemicelluloses are bonded with the matrix of lignin, and this lignin has to be removed in order to get high cellulose content of pulp.

Researcher: Dr Astimar Abd Aziz
Email: astimar@mpob.gov.my