Response surface methodology combined Box-Behnken design to optimize the extraction methodology to isolate and characterize microcrystalline cellulose from sawdust

The current study reports the extraction and characterization of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from sawdust. The isolation procedures included several steps, such as dewaxing, delignification, bleaching, and hydrolysis. Response surface methodology combined with the Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD) was applied to optimize the procedure, thereby reducing the number of experimental trials, consumption of reagents, and solvents. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the primary functional group present in MCC, and the removal of amorphous components, findings supported by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The higher crystallinity (CrI = 74%) is associated with greater MCC stability, as confirmed by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential thermal analysis (DTA) analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that isolated MCCs have random, elongated, or semi-spherical shapes. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis revealed a specific surface area of 1.3311±0.9173 m 2 g −1 , which is higher than that of the raw sawdust, and a similar pattern was observed in the XRD. Therefore, this sustainable approach could help isolate valuable MCC from other waste materials, reducing environmental concerns and benefiting both humans and the community, while also making it useful in various industrial applications.