Characterization of the Rambutan Peel Fiber (Nephelium lappaceum) as a Lignocellulosic Material for Technological Applications

This study evaluated the potential of rambutan peel (Nephelium lappaceum), an abundant, renewable and low-cost waste, as a source of lignocellulose for technological applications. FTIR analysis confirmed the achievement of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. It has obtained an extract with antioxidant properties by soxhlet extraction with ethanol. The peel has a high lignin content (35.34 ± 2.05 % (w/w)) and a cellulose content of 24.28 ± 2.30 % (w/w). The extraction of lignin and cellulose nanowhiskers by basic pulping and acid hydrolysis, respectively, were accomplished. A stable cellulose nanowhiskers suspension of type I and II was obtained with a 62.2 % crystallinity index. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the nanoparticles had good thermal stability. TEM micrographs and birefringence of the suspension confirmed the presence of rod-like nanowhiskers with average length 144.93 ± 50.67 nm and average width of 5.59 ± 2.09 nm. The rambutan peel proved to be a good source of lignocellulosic material for applications, for example, in bionanocomposites.