The green modification of Lagenaria vulgaris agro-waste: Spectroscopic and morphological analysis

Abstract

Recently, research on the exploitation and conversion of agricultural residues into value added products for the production of various important biomolecules of economic importance has been actively implemented. Therefore, the modification of bottle gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) shell (BGS), as a potentially valuable agro-waste, by a green carbonate treatment has been analyzed in this study. The biochemical composition, structural and morphological changes of BGS biomass during the treatment were monitored using physicochemical, spectroscopic (FTIR) and microscopic (SEM) methods. The partial delignification and removal of extractive substances from the lignocellulosic biomass, such as oligosaccharides of depolymerized hemicellulose, organic acids, lignin fragments, and possibly trapped minerals have been disclosed. In this way, increased porosity of the cellulose enriched BGS biomass, as well as the activation of cellulosic microfibrils to alkaline-cellulose has been achieved. It was found that these changes are an important prerequisite for making a precursor of biosorbent which can be applied in wastewater treatment technology.