The influence of extraction method to the properties of α-cellulose from abaca stem (Musa textillis)

α-cellulose was extracted from abaca stem, where the extraction process was performed using three different methods that followed by bleaching process. The objective of this research was to discover the influence of extraction method to the properties of α-cellulose from abaca stem (Musa textilis). The first method was the alkalization without heating process, the second method was alkalization that assisted with heating process at temperature of 80°C, and the third method was a combination between acid hydrolysis and alkalization at temperature of 80°C. The obtained α-cellulose was characterized using FT-IR, SEM, and XRD. The FT-IR spectra showed the α-cellulose that prepared using third method can separated lignin and hemicellulose from abaca fiber. SEM analysis showed the third method gave the smooth surface of α-cellulose. The crystallinity of α-cellulose was 43, 65, and 79% for first until third method.