DELIGNIFICATION OF RICE HUSK BY ORGANOSOLV TREATMENT TO INCREASE ITS IN-VITRO DIGESTIBILITY.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to analyze the effect of three different organic solvents (Ethanol, Methanol and Acetone) on delignification of rice husk (basmati rice). Two different concentrations (50% and70%) and three different temperatures (160° C, 180° C and 200° C) were used. Two major experimental groups were designed, autocatalytic (without catalyst) and catalytic (with 1% sulphuric acid as catalyst), each with three subgroups and three replicates. Treatment duration was 1 hour for both autocatalytic group andcatalytic group. Our results showed that 70% concentration of each organic solvent was better than 50% for delignification. Treated rice husk was used to test the in vitro digestibility. Result showed a positive correlation between percentage of delignification and digestability, a 20% increase indigestibilitywas observed with 25 % delignification. Hence organic solvents, although expensive can be employed for effective delignification.