Extraction of Cellulose Poweder from Argania Spinosa (Stems and Seeds) Trees

Argan press cake (APC) is an agricultural waste material generated from the oil production of Argan nuts. It is a dark-brown powder containing cellulose and other components such as hemicelluloses, proteins, and lipids. In this study, an alkaline processing approach consisting of applying a mild cooking treatment at 80oC in a solution containing sodium hydroxide (12%) and sodium sulfate (8%) was developed to extract cellulose form APC. Yellowish cellulose pulp was thereof obtained and was further subjected to an HPHEp bleaching operation to enhance the purity of cellulose to a large extent. Sugar analysis, molecular weight analysis and other spectroscopic techniques demonstrated that the extracted cellulose could be classified as a cellulose powder that would be qualified for pharmaceutical and food applications. Other pulping methods were investigated such as acid pulping and pulping with ethanol–water solution. Cellulose obtained by these methods showed low quality and low yield. For these reasons they were briefly investigated.