| dc.description.abstract | The use of wood for pulp, paper, and other cellulose-based products reveals several
weaknesses. The favorable alternatives is microbial cellulose synthesized by Acetobacter.
The addition of kaolin of 5.0 %, tapioca 2.5 %, and combination of kaolin (5 %) and tapioca
(2.5 %) on physical characteristics of microbial cellulose are studied. Control prepared by
using no addition of the both additives. This experiment proceeded in stages of microbial
cellulose synthesis, pulping, paper sheet forming, and physical test. Prior sheet forming,
additives added to the microbial cellulose pulp, and alum of 2 % added as retention aid. The
yield of microbial cellulose pulp was 38.125 % in average (dry basis). Physical-test results
on the corresponding paper revealed in the real basis weight (31.2-49.5 g m-2), tensile index
(19.84-53.98 Nm g-1), tear index (14.27-21.41 mN m-2 g-1) and water absorption (52.11-71.97
g m-2 for the upper side, and 55.08-85.48 g m-2 for the lower side). The treatment considered
the most optimum to afford satisfactory basis weight and tensile index was combination of
tapioca starch and kaolin. The additive that affected the physical strength properties of paper
was tapioca starch, while kaolin conversely improved the appearance of paper surface. The
microbial cellulose production on 100 ha area can substitute 1,973,116 trees per year of
Acacia mangium, which is equivalent to conserve 1,183.63 ha of forest area annually (carbon
sequestration equal to 276,236.24 tons of CO2). | |
