Open Access

ARTICLE

Acetylation of Corn Stalk (Zea mays) for Its Valorization

Jhony César Muñoz Zambrano, Douglas Alexander Bermúdez Parrales, María Antonieta Riera^*

Department of Chemical Processes, Food and Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering Career, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, 130101, Ecuador

* Corresponding Author: María Antonieta Riera. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Cellulose and Nanocellulose in Polymer Composites: Sustainable Engineering Approach)

Journal of Polymer Materials 2025, 42(3), 837-851. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpm.2025.067277

Received 29 April 2025; Accepted 14 August 2025; Issue published 30 September 2025

Abstract

Agricultural waste is a potentially interesting resource due to the compounds present. In this study, cellulose was extracted from corn stalks (Zea mays) and subsequently converted into cellulose acetate (CA). Before the extraction process, the waste sample was characterized by pH, moisture, ash, protein content, total reducing sugars (TRS), carbohydrates, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Acid and alkaline hydrolysis were performed with different reagents, concentrations, and extraction times. Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and acetic acid (CH₃COOH) were used in the acid hydrolysis, while sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used in the alkaline hydrolysis. Three concentrations (0.62, 1.25, 2.5)% and two reaction times (60, 120) min were established. An ANOVA was performed on the hydrolysis results to determine the existence of significant differences. The extracted cellulose was revalued by acetylation, and finally, the CA was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The highest cellulose extraction yield was obtained by alkaline hydrolysis, with an extraction time of 120 min and a yield of 65%. The statistical analysis indicated that the reagent used, its concentration, reaction time, and their interaction significantly affect the process yield. After obtaining CA and performing an infrared analysis of the compound’s structure, it was determined that the byproduct corresponds to CA, demonstrating the possibility of revaluing the waste through the studied process. Future studies could improve the results obtained here to promote the development of biobased products within a circular economy framework.

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