Water Hyacinth as a Sustainable Non-Wood Cellulose Source for Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (Na-CMC) Production

Abstract

The reviewed literature primarily examines the utilization of cellulose derived from water hyacinth plants as an alternative raw material for synthesizing Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC/Na-CMC), thereby expanding its potential applications. The research is grounded in the recognition of water hyacinth (E. crassipes) as a freshwater weed with a high cellulose content, making it a promising candidate for CMC synthesis. The CMC is a natural polymer derivative widely used in various industries (pharmaceutical, food, electrolyte membranes, etc.) due to its function as a thickener, stabilizer, gelling agent, binder, and emulsifier. The methods used in this article review include literature reviews and experimental research on α-cellulose isolation, Na-CMC synthesis, and physical-chemical characterization. The findings indicate that the α-cellulose content of water hyacinth varies with growing location and environmental conditions, yet generally meets the criteria for CMC raw materials. Synthesized Na-CMC derived from water hyacinth exhibits properties comparable to those of standard Na-CMC, supporting its potential as a sustainable non-wood cellulose source.

Keywords:

Water Hyacinth, Cellulose, CMC, Characterization