The objectives of this research were to study cellulose fiber extraction from rice straw with sodium hydroxide in various conditions (with 5 1 0 and 1 0 % of sodium hydroxide at room temperature 60ºC and 90 ºC for 0.5 1 2 and 3 hours) and to study rice straw nonwovens preparation by the wet-laid process. Oil wicking ability oil absorption ability air permeability morphology and physical properties of prepared nonwovens were investigated. It was found that the optimal condition for cellulose fiber extraction from rice straw was 5% of sodium hydroxide at 90 ºC for 2 hours. At this condition the cellulose fiber yield of 2 2% and the fiber length of 1 . 9 6 cm were obtained. The oil wicking ability and oil absorption ability of rice straw nonwovens increased when weight per unit area increased. Therefore oil absorbed into gaps between fibers of the nonwovens by capillary effect. Moreover the nonwovens could wick and absorb virgin palm oil better than fried palm oil because virgin palm oil has a lower viscosity than fried palm oil. The viscosity increased from derived lipid and other substances which dissolve and disperse increasing after frying food. The results indicated that the rice straw nonwovens had oil absorption ability.

This research aimed to develop compound of prototypes polymer bio-composites from cassava starch (CS) reinforced with agriculture residue the rind of durian fruit. Cellulose extracted from durian rind using hot sodium hydroxide and bleaching treatment with hydrogen peroxide. The removal of lignin and hemicellulose components from durian rind were investigated by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Cassava starch bio-composite films were prepared by solution-casting technique which includes 0-50 wt% of durian rind (DR) or durian rind cellulose (DRC) as reinforcement agent and urea/glycerol (GU ratio = 50:50) as plasticizer. The physical and chemical properties of thermoplastic starch (TPS)/DR and TPS/DRC bio-composite films were investigated. The percent elongation at break of bio-composite films were increased when compared to control CS film. From 15TPS/DR (80/20) films showed increase the elongation at break from 7.28 to 14.00% when compared to CS control films. While 15TPS/DRC (80/20) bio-composite films exhibited that the highest elongation at break to 77%. Durian fiber (DR or DRC) loading decreased the water absorption of plasticized bio-composite films. Furthermore incorporation of DRC in composite can be enhanced film stability in water better than DR. Therefore the effect of DRC reinforcement agent on TPS bio-composite films can improve water resistance and mechanical properties especially in terms of flexibility. Finally the waste of bio-composite films was degraded completely in soil burial test.

Nata de coco rich in high dietary cellulose microfiber of low calories and thus suitable to be promoted as healthy drink is derived from bacterial fermentation of coconut water (an agricultural by-product). In this study the optimal amount of nata de coco to be added to mao juice was investigated. Nata de coco was produced by using Acetobacter xylinum TISTR 86 cultured at 30oC for 15 days in a plastic box containing culture medium which was composed of 92.5% coconut juice 0.5% ammonium sulfate 5.0% sucrose and 2.0% vinegar. Hedonic scale (1-9 point) sensory evaluation was used to select the optimal ratio of nata de coco from the 3 ratios of 5 10 and 15% to be added to mao juice. Based on taste and overall liking the most favorable mixture is to add nata de coco of 10% to mao juice. Finally the chemical physical and microorganism properties of mao juice with nata de coco in a 180 ml clear-glass bottle were measured after it was stored at room temperature for 1 month. This mixture product was found to beneficially contain fiber two times the amount of that of sole mao juice. The result suggests that these variable parameters of mixture product were accepted base on the Thai Community Product Standard (486/2547).