Quantitative, qualitative and structural characterization of cellulose extracted from the green macroalgae Cladophora sp.

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Paper Science and Engineering, Faculty of Wood and Paper Engineering, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran. 2*Assistant Professor, Department of Paper Sciences and Engineering

2 Department of Paper Science and Engineering, Faculty of Wood and Paper Engineering, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

10.22059/jfwp.2025.398125.1355

Abstract

Cellulose extracted from algal sources has attracted considerable attention as a high-value biopolymer due to its unique physicochemical characteristics and wide range of potential applications. Despite recent advances in cellulose extraction techniques from algal biomass, further investigation and optimization of physicomechanical methods are still required to obtain cellulose with desirable properties and enhanced processability. In this study, cellulose was extracted and characterized from the green macroalga Cladophora sp. through a multistep chemo-mechanical process consisting of methanol pretreatment, alkaline treatment (NaOH), and two-stage bleaching using H₂O₂/NaOH and NaClO. The final product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), chemical composition analysis, yield determination, α-cellulose content, intrinsic viscosity, and degree of polymerization (DP). The purification process markedly reduced the protein and ash contents to 0.7% and 0.51%, respectively, while increasing the α-cellulose purity to 91.6%. Although the DP decreased significantly from 2500 to 1290 (approximately 48.5%) during the NaClO bleaching stage, this reduction may facilitate subsequent mechanical treatments for nanocellulose production. The overall cellulose yield was 69.9%, highlighting the high potential of Cladophora sp. as a sustainable source for producing high-purity cellulose. FTIR results further confirmed the effective removal of non-cellulosic constituents (lipids, hemicelluloses, lignin, and pigments) and the corresponding enhancement in cellulose purity. Overall, the findings demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed extraction approach for obtaining high-purity cellulose fibers with desirable physicochemical properties.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Forest and Wood Products
Volume 78, Issue 4
February 2026
Pages 419-432

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