Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose Fibers from Agricultural Residue Citrus Limon and Mangifera indica L. branches

Cellulose possesses high tensile strength due to the strong hydrogen bonds between the individual chains of microfibrils. Cellulose the most abundant organic polymer in nature has paved way for many researchers to exploit potential sources on earth. Agriculture residue one such option, mainly comprising waste from coconut, date palms, lemon, mango, and banana trees can be reconnoitered in isolating cellulose fiber and incorporate in various applications like skin tissue repair, medical implants, scaffolds, paper, wood, and antimicrobial membranes etc. Prime aimf this work was to isolate and evaluate the characteristics of cellulose from two sources: Citrus Limon (lemon) and Mangifera indica L. (mango) branches. Chemical method was incorporated to isolate the cellulose fibers and were subjected to characterization using Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The FTIR test results exhibited the absorption peak, the β - glycosidic connection between glucose groups of cellulose and SEM micrographs showed fine individual cellulose fibers thus confirming the successful isolation of cellulose fibers from two of the agricultural residues.