Data in Brief 51 (2023) 109781

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Data in Brief

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/dib

Data Article

Data on chemical composition of coffee husks

and lignin microparticles as their extracted
product
Dung Van Nguyen a,b,∗, Cham Thi Thu Duong a,b,
Chau Ngoc Minh Vu a,b, Hung Minh Nguyen a,b, Tuyet Thi Pham a,b,
Tuyet-Mai Tran-Thuy a,b, Long Quang Nguyen a,b
a
Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street,
District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
b
Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Duc City, Vietnam

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Coffee husks are an abundant and underutilized biomass

Received 23 August 2023 waste released from coffee production. Experimental analy-
Revised 1 November 2023 sis showed that coffee husks consisted of 39.2 ± 0.2 wt%
Accepted 1 November 2023 cellulose, 12.6 ± 0.1 wt% hemicellulose, 23.3 ± 0.1 wt% Kla-
Available online 7 November 2023
son lignin, 2.9 ± 0.4 wt% acid-soluble lignin, 8.7 ± 0.2 wt%
Dataset link: Properties of coffee husks and
extractives, and 9.5 ± 0.2 wt% ash. Moreover, different mi-
lignin microparticles (Original data) nor elements, including K, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Ti, S, and Si, were
found. Subsequently, coffee husks were used for the extrac-
Keywords: tion of lignin using an alkaline treatment. As a result, lignin
Coffee husk
microparticles were formed with a relatively uniform size of
Lignin microparticle
0.55 ± 0.11 mm. Altogether, the current article provided use-
Chemical composition
Biomass valorization
ful data for the valorization of coffee husks and the primary
properties of lignin microparticles for further use.
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.
This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

∗
Corresponding author at: Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268
Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
E-mail address: nvdung@hcmut.edu.vn (D.V. Nguyen).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.109781
2352-3409/© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
2 D.V. Nguyen, C.T.T. Duong and C.N.M. Vu et al. / Data in Brief 51 (2023) 109781

Specifications Table

Subject Analytical Chemistry, Materials Chemistry

Specific subject area Biomass compositional analysis, biomass conversion into useful materials
Data format Analyzed
Type of data Tables, Images, Figures
Data collection Different techniques were used for analyzing the chemical composition of
coffee husks. The extractive content was measured through acetone-reflux
extraction. A modified Klason technique was applied to evaluate Klason and
acid-soluble lignin contents. Holocellulose was extracted via NaClO2 treatment.
Cellulose and hemicellulose contents were determined by NaOH treatment.
The ash content was obtained by incinerating. EDX and FTIR spectra were used
to identify minor elements and functional groups, respectively. The
morphology of coffee husks was observed by SEM images.
Lignin microparticles were extracted from coffee husks using an alkaline
treatment. The morphology of lignin microparticles was determined by SEM
images. Their elemental composition and functional groups were identified by
EDX and FTIR spectra, respectively.
Data source location Biomass collection: Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam
Analysis: Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), Ho Chi Minh
City, Vietnam
Data accessibility Repository name: Mendeley Data
Data identification number: 10.17632/hvr3k6kwf2.2
Direct URL to data: https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/hvr3k6kwf2/2

1. Value of the Data

• The chemical composition of coffee husks is important for their further valorization into
value-added products.
• The morphology of coffee husk-derived lignin microparticles is useful for future applications.
• Researchers working in the field of biomass valorization and biomass-derived materials can
benefit from the data in this article.

2. Data Description

Coffee husks are the protective layers of coffee cherries surrounding the coffee beans
[1]. The husks are separated from the beans during the harvesting and processing of cof-
fee cherries. Commonly, coffee husks are discarded as waste [2]. In recent years, there has
been growing interest in finding sustainable and innovative ways for the use of coffee husks
to minimize waste and create value. The biomass can be directly utilized as biomass fuel,
organic fertilizer, animal feed, and substrate for mushroom cultivation [3]. Moreover, cof-
fee husks can become a potential raw material for the production of bio-based materials,
biofuels, and other value-added products [4,5]. To completely comprehend the features of
this resource for future valorization, it is imperative to conduct an analysis of its chemical
composition.
As presented in Table 1, coffee husks contained 39.2 ± 0.2 wt% cellulose, 26.2 ± 0.5 wt%
lignin, and 12.6 ± 0.1 wt% hemicellulose. Notably, the ash content in coffee husks reached
9.5 ± 0.2 wt%. Further EDX analysis indicates that minor elements included K, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe,
Ti, S, and Si (Fig. 1). Elemental mapping demonstrates that these elements were distributed uni-
formly throughout the biomass as opposed to being a result of impurities. In addition to acquir-
ing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from the surrounding air and water, coffee plants can absorb
trace elements from the soil.
Fig. 2 shows SEM images of coffee husk powder. At the microscale, the biomass had a
smooth and flaky morphology. In fact, coffee husks include the outer skin, pulp, and parchment.
These layers were ground intensively to offer thin pieces. Moreover, the presence of functional
groups in coffee husks was identified by FTIR spectroscopy (Fig. 3). Lignocellulosic biomass con-
 D.V. Nguyen, C.T.T. Duong and C.N.M. Vu et al. / Data in Brief 51 (2023) 109781 3

Table 1
Chemical composition of coffee husks.

Component Content (wt%)

Cellulose 39.2 ± 0.2

Hemicellulose 12.6 ± 0.1
Klason lignin 23.3 ± 0.1
Acid-soluble lignin 2.9 ± 0.4
Extractives 8.7 ± 0.2
Ash 9.5 ± 0.2
Total 96.2 ± 1.2

Fig. 1. EDX spectroscopy and elemental mapping of coffee husks.

tained characteristic peaks: 3377 cm−1 (O-H stretching vibrations in cellulose, hemicellulose, and
lignin), 2925 cm−1 (stretching vibrations of aliphatic C-H bonds in cellulose, hemicellulose, and
lignin), 1735 and 1648 cm−1 (C=O stretching vibrations in hemicellulose and lignin), 1443 cm−1
(C-H bonds in the -OCH3 groups of hemicellulose and lignin), 1257 cm−1 (stretching vibrations
of C-O bonds in lignin), and 1051 cm−1 (C-O-C stretching vibrations of cellulose and hemicellu-
lose) [6].
Lignin microparticles have applications in diverse fields, such as materials science, biotech-
nology, and environmental remediation. When incorporated into polymers, they improve me-
4 D.V. Nguyen, C.T.T. Duong and C.N.M. Vu et al. / Data in Brief 51 (2023) 109781

Fig. 2. SEM images of coffee husks.

Fig. 3. FTIR spectroscopy of coffee husks.

chanical properties, UV resistance, and thermal stability, promoting the development of sustain-
able polymer composites through reinforcing or filling functions [7]. These microparticles are
also excellent at encapsulating drugs, allowing for targeted delivery, and minimizing side effects
[8]. Their biocompatibility expands the possibilities for wound healing and tissue engineering.
For agriculture, lignin microparticles serve as slow-release fertilizers and soil enhancers, pro-
 D.V. Nguyen, C.T.T. Duong and C.N.M. Vu et al. / Data in Brief 51 (2023) 109781 5

Fig. 4. (a) SEM images and (b) size distribution of lignin microparticles.

moting sustainable plant growth by enhancing soil structure and nutrient accessibility [9]. Due
to their porous structure, lignin microparticles are functionalized to efficiently adsorb air and
water pollutants [10]. In coatings, films, and packaging, lignin microparticles also enhance bar-
rier properties, UV resistance, color stability, and environmental friendliness [11]. As mentioned
before, both cellulose and lignin were main components in coffee husks. However, cellulose ex-
traction from biomass has been reported in great detail in the scientific literature. To broaden
the potential uses of coffee husks, lignin extraction was investigated. As a result, coffee husks
yielded 13.8 wt% of lignin microparticles. The aforementioned quantity was equivalent to 52.7
wt% of lignin in the raw material.
SEM images proved that microparticles were formed successfully with an average size and
standard deviation of 0.55 ± 0.11 mm (Fig. 4). Compared to coffee husks, lignin microparticles
contained more C and less O (Fig. 5). This is because the molar ratio of O to C in lignin is
typically lower than that in cellullose and hemicellulose. In addition, the remaining elements S,
Si, and Ca exhibited uniform distribution within the lignin structure. Other elements may be lost
during the extraction and cleansing processes.
As shown in Fig. 6, FTIR spectroscopy of lignin microparticles included characteristic peaks
at 3395 cm−1 (O-H bonds in phenolic and carboxylic acids), 2917 cm−1 (C-H bonds in methyl,
methylene, and methoxyl groups), 1712 cm−1 (C=O stretching in unconjugated ketones, carbonyl
and ester groups), 1618 cm−1 (C=O stretching conjugated to the aromatic ring), 1516 cm−1 (aro-
matic ring vibrations), 1258 cm−1 (C-O stretching in ether linkages), and 1116 cm−1 (C-H bonds
in plane deformation) [12–14]. The successful extraction of lignin microparticles from coffee
husks is evidenced by their corresponding functional groups, contrasting with the absence of
such groups in cellulose and hemicellulose components.
6 D.V. Nguyen, C.T.T. Duong and C.N.M. Vu et al. / Data in Brief 51 (2023) 109781

Fig. 5. EDX spectroscopy and elemental mapping of lignin microparticles.

Fig. 6. FTIR spectroscopy of lignin microparticles.

3. Experimental Design, Materials and Methods

3.1. Materials

Coffee husks were gathered from the shelling process of coffee beans in Pleiku City, Gia Lai
Province, Vietnam. Next, the husks were washed with distilled water, dried at 105 °C for 18 h,
 D.V. Nguyen, C.T.T. Duong and C.N.M. Vu et al. / Data in Brief 51 (2023) 109781 7

and finely ground. This powder was finally put in an airtight plastic bag until it was ready to be
used. All chemicals were utilized without further refinement.

3.2. Chemical Composition Analysis of Coffee Husks

Each component of coffee husks was determined using a suitable technique. Following is
an analysis of the extractive content: 10.0 g of the coffee husk powder was soaked in ace-
tone (60 °C) for reflux extraction [15]. Until the color of the mixture remained unaltered, the
extractive-free sample was filtered and dried at ambient temperature.
To quantify Klason and acid-soluble lignin contents, a modified Klason method was imple-
mented [16]. First, 1.00 g of the extractive-free sample was added to 15.0 mL of 72.0 wt% H2 SO4 .
The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 h before being diluted to 3.0 wt% H2 SO4 .
Next, the sample was subjected to autoclaving at 121 °C for 30 min. The solid Klason lignin was
obtained by filtering the mixture and drying the residue at 80 °C. The acid-soluble lignin present
in the filtrate was analyzed by a Jasco V-730 UV-Vis spectrophotometer equipped with a quartz
cuvette. The measurement was conducted at a wavelength of 205 nm, utilizing an absorptivity
value of 110 L/g/cm [17].
Holocellulose includes cellulose and hemicellulose. To obtain holocellulose from the
extractive-free coffee husk, the NaClO2 treatment was applied [18]. First, 2.50 g of the sam-
ple was added to 80.0 mL of hot water (80 °C). The suspension was treated with 1.00 g of
NaClO2 and 0.50 mL of acetic acid at 80 °C for 4 h. This bleaching process was repeated four
times. After filtering, rinsing with distilled water, and drying at 80 °C for 24 h, the solid holo-
cellulose was weighted. Next, the holocellulose sample was treated twice with 100 mL of a 17.5
wt% NaOH solution at ambient temperature for 30 min. The solid cellulose was filtered, cleaned
with distilled water, desiccated at 80 °C for 24 h, and then weighed. Hemicellulose content was
calculated from the difference between holocellulose and cellulose contents. Ash content was
determined by incinerating 1.00 g of a dried coffee husk sample at 600 °C for 4 h. All quantita-
tive analyses were performed in duplicate. Average values and standard deviations were calcu-
lated by Excel software. Moreover, trace elements present in coffee husks were detected using
energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, which was collected using the JEOL JSM-IT200 in-
strument. This instrument was also used to investigate scanning electron microscopy (SEM) im-
ages of coffee husks. Before measuring, the dried material was coated with a thin platinum film.
The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of coffee husks was analyzed using a Bruker
Tensor 27 spectrometer.

3.3. Extraction of Lignin Microparticles from Coffee Husks

First, 50.00 g of coffee husk powder and 500 g of NaOH solution (5.0 M) were put in a
1 L round-bottom flask. Next, the reflux extraction was conducted at 100 °C for 8 h. Following
that, the black solution was collected through vacuum filtration. The solution was precipitated
with concentrated H2 SO4. The solid was then washed with distilled water and dried in an oven
at 80 °C for 12 h to obtain lignin microparticles (6.91 g). The aforementioned JEOL JSM-IT200
instrument was used to explore SEM images and EDX spectroscopy of the resultant lignin mi-
croparticles. Similar to coffee husks, dried lignin microparticles were coated with a thin film of
platinum. The size distribution of lignin microparticles was determined by ImageJ and OriginPro
software. Lastly, their FTIR spectroscopy was studied by the previously mentioned Bruker Tensor
27 spectrometer.

Limitations

Not applicable
8 D.V. Nguyen, C.T.T. Duong and C.N.M. Vu et al. / Data in Brief 51 (2023) 109781

Ethics Statement

There are no ethical concerns associated with human subjects, animal experiments, or data
collected from social media platforms in this study.

Data Availability

Properties of coffee husks and lignin microparticles (Original data) (ICPSR)

CRediT Author Statement

Dung Van Nguyen: Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing; Cham Thi Thu Duong:
Investigation; Chau Ngoc Minh Vu: Investigation; Hung Minh Nguyen: Visualization, Writing –
original draft; Tuyet Thi Pham: Writing – original draft; Tuyet-Mai Tran-Thuy: Methodology;
Long Quang Nguyen: Methodology.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), VNU-HCM for sup-
porting this study.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal rela-
tionships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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