Formation of aliphatic carboxylic acids during soda-AQ pulping of kenaf bark

The formation of aliphatic carboxylic acids during soda-AQ pulping of kenaf bark was studied. In addition to formic and acetic acids, a variety of hydroxy monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids were monitored. The results showed that the formation of hydroxy acids and formic acid significantly depend, in contrast to acetic acid, on the cooking conditions employed. Detailed gas chromatographic studies revealed that the most abundant hydroxy carboxylic acids were glucoisosaccharinic, lactic, glycolic, 3-deoxypentonic, 2-hydroxybutanoic, xyloisosaccharinic, 3,4-dideoxypentonic, 2-hydroxyglutaric, and glucoisosaccharinaric acids. The total amount of aliphatic carboxylic acids corresponded to 12–16% of o.d. kenaf bark.