Potential of cellulase of Penicillium vermiculatum for preparation and characterization of microcrystalline cellulose produced from α-cellulose of kapok pericarpium (ceiba pentandra)

Objective: This study aimed to find psychochemical properties of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) obtained from α-cellulose kapok pericarpium. Methods: The cellulase activity was screened by clear zone and sugar reduction method. The enzyme from selected mold was purified by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) chromatography. α-cellulose of kapok pericarpium was hydrolyzed using the purified cellulase enzymes. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, and qualitative analysis test. The MCC samples were characterized for pH test, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and particle size analyzer (PSA). Results: The optimum cellulase activity was shown by Penicillium vermiculatum. It’s clear zone diameter around 3 cm and the cellulase activity was 67.73±0.25 mU/ml. The strongest cellulase activity was detected from 1st fraction (P1) out of 6 column fractions with optimum activity at 1.177±2 mU/ml. The optimal conditions for microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) preparation were at 50 °C, for 2 h, using 20 ml of acetate buffer pH 5 and 2 ml of cellulase enzyme. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) obtained at 78% w/w and its FTIR spectrum and x-ray diffractogram similar to reference while the pH of MCC was fulfilled requirements of The United States Pharmacopoeia 2007. Conclusion: The use of purified enzyme of cellulase has succeded in microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) preparation and MCC yield obtained was 78% w/w, which showed similar characteristics to reference (Avicel PH 101)