Extraction and Characterization of Carboxymethyl-cellulose from Cocoa Pod Husk

Cocoa pod husk (70–75 wt.% of the fruit) is a waste that can be used containing cellulose (c.a. 35.4 wt.%). The present work evaluates the valorization of cocoa pod husk as a potential source of cellulose to obtain carboxymethylcellulose. A yield of 21.9% of extracted cellulose was obtained with respect to the cocoa husk flour used. Different procedures were applied to obtain carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), followed by a purification process, achieving a yield of 64.3%. The physical characterization of the CMC obtained was carried out using FTIR spectroscopy, and its molecular weight (183628.89 g/mol) was determined by its intrinsic viscosity. The CMC dispersions were tested using small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) for concentrations 3–7%, finding an evolution in the rheological behavior of the systems studied.