The aims of this study were to obtain the optimal concentration of NaOH and
trichloroacetic acid in the process of making CMC from bacterial cellulose. The
experimental design used is response surface method. In the present study, NaOH as the
variable X1 is concentration with a minimum limit (-1) of 30%, optimal limit (0) of 35%
while the maximum limit (+1) of 40%. Variable X2 is the trichloroacetic acid
concentration with a minimum limit (-1) of 25%, an optimal limit (0) of 30% and a
maximum limit (+1) of 35%. Based on calculations using the program, expert design
combination of treatments was obtained by 13 samples. The selection of the treatment
above is based on the fact that in making CMC the alkalization process and
carboxymethylation play an important role. The results showed variable optimum points
of NaOH and Trichloroacetic Acid concentrations were 35.95% and 30.87%. The
optimum point of the independent variable, the optimum response value of the substitution
degree obtained was 0.897, water content of 20.08%, pH of 10.04 and viscosity of 17.
26%. In conclusion, that the best treatment of NaOH concentration on 35.95%,
trichloroacetic acid on 30.87%, substitution degrees on 0.93, water content on 19.86%, pH
on 10.17, and viscosity on 17.39 cPs.