Objective: This study aimed to find optimum reaction condition for making sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC), to obtain NaCMC powder, and to obtain the identity and characteristics of NaCMC powder from α-cellulose kapok (Ceiba pentandra) fruit’s hull which fulfills compendial based testing requirements.

Method: α-cellulose which has been isolated from kapok (Ceiba pentandra) fruit’s hull from kapok shell (Ceiba pentandra) is used for making NaCMC powder through alkalization and carboxymethylation reactions. Alkalization was carried out using 25% NaOH (containing sodium tetraborate), while carboxymethylation was carried out using sodium monochloroacetate. Identification and characterization are done by infrared spectrum analysis using FTIR, qualitative analysis, organoleptic examination, morphology and topography analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), substitution degree (DS), crystal and amorph form analysis using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), pH test, sulfated ash content, moisture content, loss on drying, particle density, and viscosity.

Results: The obtained NaCMC powder is yellowish white, has an infrared spectrum similar to the comparison, shows a positive result in qualitative analysis, substitution degree 0.57, pH 8.5, morphology seen with SEM is quite similar to the comparison even though the resulting NaCMC surface is rougher, has a diffractogram pattern similar to the comparison characterized by the presence of crystalline and amorphous forms, moisture content 8.50%, sulfated ash 36.43%, loss on drying 9.87%, and has 1% viscosity value 20,6 cP which is far different from the comparison.

Conclusion: NaCMC from α-cellulose kapok fruit’s hull fullfills compendial requirements.

Keywords: Kapok fruit’s hull; NaCMC; Alkalization; Carboxymethylation; Characterization.