Investigation of Alpha-Cellulose Content of Agro-Waste Products as Alternatives for Paper Production

The cellulose content of agro-waste such as rice husk, maize cub, sorghum stalk and groundnut shell was experimentally determined using standard procedures, such as defattening, scouring and alpha cellulose test. The alpha cellulose content obtained for the various agro-wastes used are rice husk 43.33%, maize cub 62.96%, sorghum stalk 47.36 % and groundnut shell 65.20 % as against the alpha cellulose content of wood which is 63%. Ash contents determined for each of these products were also done and the results obtained are rice husk 1.5 % maize cub 0.09%, o.09%, sorghum stalk 0.149% and groundnut shell 0.3%. These results confirmed that agro-wastes are possible alternatives to wood in paper making industry.