Cellulose extraction of Alstonia scholaris: A comparative study on efficiency of different bleaching reagents for its isolation and characterization

The incredible benefits of Alstonia scholaris are piquing researchers' attention in extracting its cellulose and utilizing it in further therapeutic applications. This study is based on cellulose extraction from its stalks and processed through chemical pre-treatments to manifest its cellulose content by using different bleaching reagents. A comparison was made on efficiencies of three reagents and it is found that the hydrogen peroxide exposed maximum cellulose than sodium hypochlorite and sodium chlorite. The experimental results revealed that A. scholaris possess 68–70% cellulose content. FTIR spectrum shows that OH- and CH- vibrations of cellulose appeared at 3320 cm−1 & 2892 cm−1 respectively whereas SEM images show fibrillation, rough surface, and lumens in bleached fiber that attributes to the removal of lignin and hemicelluloses and confirms cellulose extraction. The XRD pattern certifies the crystalline nature and compactness of cellulose whereas tensile properties and TGA help in understanding its flexibility, mechanical strength, and thermal stability at 370 °C respectively. [Display omitted] •Alstonia Scholaris cellulose (ASC) extraction was intensified by using different bleaching reagents.•The maximum cellulose content (68–70%) was obtained through bleaching with hydrogen peroxide reagent (HPO) at pH 9.•SEM images confirm cellulose extraction through its rough texture and lumens formation.•XRD pattern certifies the crystalline nature and compactness of cellulose in bleached fiber.•Thermo-gravimetric analysis explained that cellulose of AS-HPO is more thermally stable below 370 °C.