Study on effect pretreatment of Rice Husk by using the FTIR

Abstract

A computational approach was used to analyze the FTIR spectra of a wide range of treated and untreated lignocellulosic material which is rice husk. Rice husk was treated with dilute sulphuric acid in a room temperature in order to break the recalcitrance part in lignin and hence increase the composition of cellulose and hemicelluloses. While for the physical treatment, it will disrupt the crystalline structure of cellulose. Overcome of recalcitrance is crucial to modify the structure of cellulosic material in order to make cellulose more available to the enzymes which convert the cellulose into fermentable sugars. FTIR spectra allowed efficient and simultaneous comparison of lignocellulosic compositions present in treated and untreated rice husk. In this current research, absorption band for cellulose and hemicelluloses were increased at higher concentration of sulphuric acid and smaller particle size of rice husk. Based on the DOE result, the optimum range for absorption peak of cellulose were at 1.00-1.71 % w/v H2SO4 and at 0.20 mm of particle size. While for hemicelluloses, the optimum concentration was 1.00-1.71 % w/v H2SO4 and particle size at 0.20-0.86 mm. This current project also provides the best economical since rice husk is easy to obtain in Perlis and room temperature is used to save the cost and energy. The utilization of rice husk also could prevent the environmental and dumping problems.