ARS | Publication request: Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Gels from Corn Cobs

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 6, 2010
Publication Date: March 31, 2011
Citation: Shogren, R.L., Peterson, S.C., Kenar, J.A., Evans, K.O. 2011. Preparation and characterization of cellulose gels from corn cobs [abstract]. American Chemical Society. Cell 204.

Technical Abstract: Aqueous cellulose gels were prepared by extraction of ground corn cobs with hot aqueous sodium hydroxide/sodium hypochlorite and shearing. Initial shearing in a blender broke up cob tissue structure into individual cells and resulted in a gel. Subsequent shearing in a high pressure homogenizer increased viscosity by more than an order of magnitude. Rheological studies showed all samples were gel-like from 0.5-2.0% and that G’ increased following a power law with exponents of 3.7 and 3.2 for blended and homogenized samples, respectively. G’ and G” were maximal after two passes through the homogenizer and were about ten times larger than typical literature values for microfibrillar cellulose suspensions. SEM showed some expanded fibrillar aggregates while AFM showed a variety of microstructures. These results should improve understanding of the relationships between processing, morphology and properties of cellulose from corn stover and lead to new applications.