Comprehensive characterization of microcrystalline cellulose from Myriophyllum verticilatum algae: From biomass to biomaterial for polymer composite applications.

Myriophyllum verticilatum, a fresh water weed known for its high levels of sustainability and renewability. It has the ability to be used as a substitute biomaterial for making microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) products, which have numerous industrial uses, because its fibre biomass primarily consists of cellulose. By subjecting M. verticillatum to alkaline peroxide treatment followed by acid hydrolysis researchers obtained 45.53 % MCC material with a crystallinity index of 66.84 % thus matching the quality of commercial MCC products. In this research structural, thermal and microscopic tests were performed on Myriophyllum verticillatum microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The thermal investigation of MV MCC revealed that it maintained stability until reaching 317.32 °C at a primary degradation point of 196.2 °C. SEM analysis verified that the isolated MCC presented a fibrous shape with rough textured surface which particle diameter measurements showed an average measurement of 82.29 μm. EDX analysis revealed no presence of undesirable elemental contaminants which proved the chemical purity of the extracted MV MCC. The research demonstrates that Myriophyllum verticillatum can serve as an environmentally friendly renewable source to produce MCC which shows promise as a material feedstock in food packaging and pharmaceutical applications and bioplastic manufacturing.