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This research explores the extraction and application of cellulose fibers from various parts of plants, specifically young and old stems, as well as seed/fruit skins. The primary focus was on the effective removal of lignin and other extraneous compounds to enhance the properties of cellulose fibers for their subsequent use as fillers in the production of porous composites. These composites were evaluated for their responsiveness to ammonia vapor through a color change test, indicating their potential as intelligent, environmentally friendly packaging materials. The cellulose fibers were isolated through a two-stage process involving delignification using 20 % sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and bleaching with a 5 % hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 3.8 % NaOH mixture. These fibers were then characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The analysis revealed that fibers extracted from the younger stem bark exhibited superior characteristics, notably in their crystallinity index (CI), which was 5.16 % higher than that of fibers from other plant parts. Surface morphological studies indicated that the cellulose fibers derived from CG plants possess a hollow shape. When used as fillers, these fibers contributed to the enhanced porosity of polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVA/PVP) composites. SEM analysis further demonstrated that the inclusion of fibers with higher degrees of crystallinity significantly increased the composites' porosity. Additionally, composites immobilized with anthocyanins from the Butterfly Pea Flower (BPF) exhibited a notable colorimetric response to environmental pH changes. Thermogravimetric analysis suggested that incorporating these fibers into the composite matrix improves thermal stability. The study's findings underscore the potential of these porous composites as colorimetric indicators, paving the way for their application in smart, eco-friendly packaging solutions.

Coconut husk, an agricultural waste, is abundant in Thailand due to the extensive presence of coconut farms. This current research aimed to determine how to add the value to the coconut husk and examine its ability to absorb dyes used for aquaculture. The research consisted of cellulose production, determination of cellulose qualifications, and assessment of the efficiency of coconut husk and its cellulose to absorb KMnO4. The efficiency of absorption was based on absorption time, the amount of absorbent, and effect of salinity and temperature. Results showed that cellulose derived from coconut husks exhibited greater viscosity, strength, and tensile resistance compared to coconut husk fibers with 48.10 % yield of the extraction. SEM analysis revealed that the outer surface of cellulose is microporous. FTIR analysis revealed that the composition of produced cellulose was similar to the commercially produced one. The structure of cellulose showed 2Ɵ peaks at positions of 16° and 23° with thermal degradation ranging from 75 to 130 °C (residue 90.76 %) and 290–385 °C (residue 27.69 %). The maximum duration for absorption was 4 hours for both cellulose (88.40 ± 4.20 %) and coconut husks (83.20 ± 5.40 %). The absorption efficiency of cellulose increased when the content increased and it showed a significantly (p

Recent advances in the production and use of cellulose nanoparticles are detailed in this review. Global demand for sustainability is on the rise, and fossil fuel use is also on the rise. Consequently, the oil and gas industry must maintain its focus on R&D of new, environmentally friendly technologies and materials. Oil and gas companies are interested in cellulose nanoparticles (CNMs) for several reasons, including their renewable potential, high specific surface area, adjustable surface chemistry, and good mechanical, barrier, thermal, and rheological characteristics. Oil and gas production will become more sustainable and environmentally friendly as a result of all this. There are many manufacturing procedures that may be used to manufacture materials with different structures and physicochemical qualities. Biomedicine, sensing, wastewater treatment, paper and cardboard manufacture, and the packaging sector are just a few of the many fields that benefit from cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs), especially cellulose nanofibers and cellulose nanocrystals. These materials have several desirable characteristics, such as being renewable, having a large surface area, being very stiff and strong under tension, and being very flexible on the surface because of hydroxyl groups. This has led to the scale production of these materials; for example, several companies currently make cellulose nanoparticles in quantities of several tons per day. The remarkable properties of nano-cellulose biopolymers, which may be produced by a wide range of microbes and plant materials, including rice husks, tea leaves, and other agricultural byproducts, have recently attracted more attention due to the development of nanotechnology. Scientists use a range of methods, including chemical, mechanical, and enzymatic processes, to synthesize cellulose nanoparticles from food scraps. Nanomaterials' primary characteristics are defined by their surface functionalization, extraction source, and extraction processes. In this article, we will examine their present production rates and their applications in several areas, including as healthcare, sustainable construction materials, and energy storage and generation. Our focus will be on recent developments and upcoming trends in the production and use of cellulose nanoparticles. The purpose of this article is to provide a synopsis of what is known about cellulose and its technical biological uses, including its ability to heal wounds, transport drugs, construct tissues, and regenerate bones. The most recent findings from both basic and applied research are contained in a comprehensive bibliography. Materials derived from cellulose may be modified to possess the specific physical, mechanical, and chemical characteristics needed for use in the biomedical field. It doesn't take much work to alter cellulose's chemical structure and conjugate it with other materials, including nanoparticles. Because of this, the applications are straightforward to form and process, inexpensive, biodegradable, and biocompatible.

In this study, thioesterified cellulose was synthesized by grafting thiol moiety onto α-cellulose, which was first oxidized with different reactive oxygen species such as H2O2, Fenton reagent (FR), and peroxyacetic acid in aqueous solution. The thioesterification was done by refluxing oxidized cellulose with ethanedithiol in a mixture of toluene and water (4:1) at 85°C for 6 h. The modification of cellulose was evidenced by FTIR, Raman, solid-state 13C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy, conductometric titration, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, zeta potential measurement, molecular weight determination, and SEM analysis. The characteristic absorption bands for −C=O and −C(=O)−S− bonds in FTIR and Raman spectra were suggestive of the modification of cellulose. 20 % FR was the most efficient in introducing the highest amount (158.93 μmol g−1) of the -COOH groups, while cleavage of cellulose backbone was found to take place as evidenced by the result of the degree of polymerization. The presence of new peaks in 13C CP MAS NMR spectra of thiol-functionalized cellulose ascertained the anchoring of thiol onto oxidized cellulose. Additionally, the significant decrease in the C6 signals for the amorphous region of thiol-modified cellulose provided information about successful modification. In addition, the degree of substitution was determined to be about 0.025. The efficacious functionalization was further supported by the measurement of zeta potential, wherein thioesterified cellulose exhibited the highest negative zeta potential due to increased hydrophobicity. This study would open up a new route for the development of important derivatives of cellulose, including cellulose dimer, containing the thioester group which is the backbone of many antibiotics and natural products.

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim]OAc) is the most commonly used cellulose-dissolving ionic liquid and has been extensively studied for biorefinery applications. Although [C2mim]OAc had been considered to be a liquid, we here found [C2mim]OAc crystals at room temperature (around 25 °C) with a melting point of 44 °C. A plausible reason for the crystallization is shearing stress. [C2mim]OAc seed crystals led to the crystallization of liquid [C2mim]OAc.

Clean drinking water has been a challenge due to the pollution from industrialization, urbanization, the growing global population, and lack of infrastructure. Textile industry waste has become a major problem due to wastewater that contains dyes commonly discharged into the water bodies. Wastewater-containing dye should be treated to avoid undesired environmental effects. Among the various water treatment methods, photocatalysis has been getting growing attention in mitigating water pollution issues, particularly in removing organic contaminants (such as organic dyes) due to their good efficiency, low cost, and environmental friendliness. Organic-inorganic composites such as combinations of cellulose and semiconductors can produce unique functional hybrid materials with tailored characteristics. Cellulose has been used as a carrier material due to its superfine network structure, reactive surface groups, and good compatibility with metal oxides. In addition to increasing the catalyst surface area, it improves the photocatalytic effectiveness of nanocomposites by acting as electron acceptors and transporters resulting in a better charge carrier separation. Therefore, cellulose-based photocatalytic membranes are environmentally friendly, fully biodegradable, and biocompatible with efficient applications in wastewater management for the degradation of organic dyes. In this review work, the applications of cellulose-based photocatalytic membranes for the removal of cationic and anionic organic dyes have been reviewed.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane is frequently employed for filtration due to its excellent properties. The hydrophobicity of PVDF membrane causes easy fouling; therefore, hydrophilic polymer materials are required to increase hydrophilicity. This study applies cellulose and cellulose esters as fillers for PVDF membranes to solve the fouling problem. Cellulose esters, such as cellulose acetate (PSCA), cellulose benzoate (PSCB), and cellulose citrate (PSCC), were successfully synthesized from peanut shell cellulose (PSC) using Fischer and non-Fischer reactions. The phase inversion method was successfully used to fabricate PVDF membranes with cellulose or cellulose esters as fillers. The fabricated membranes have been applied for methylene blue (MB) filtration. Adding PSC fillers improved the hydrophilicity and performance of the PVDF membranes up to 23.49 ± 2.40 L m−2 h−1 for water flux and 95.75 ± 0.78 % for rejection of MB. Regarding cellulose esters, cellulose acetate gave the highest value of 77.63 L m−2 h−1 for water flux, and cellulose citrate gave the highest value of 86.88 ± 3.54 % for MB rejection. Hence, cellulose or cellulose esters from peanut shells are suitable fillers for MB filtration in PVDF membranes.

Cellulose is a complex polysaccharide composed of β 1, 4 glycosidic linkages and these linkages are broken down by a complex enzyme system called cellulase. Cellulase is an enzyme complex associated with β 1, 4 endoglucanase, β 1, 4 exoglucanase, and β glucosidase. The fungal strains were isolated from decomposed humus soil and screened for the best cellulolytic activity. Thirty-two isolates were screened among these; three were selected based on their morphological characters and hydrolytic capacity, viz, Cladosporium oxysporum N5, Aspergillus sigurros N6, and Cladosporium cladosporioides N12. Among these fungi, Cladosporium oxysporum N5 shows potential hydrolytic activity and was selected for optimization studies and evaluation of their cellulolytic capability. Cellulolytic strain Cladosporium oxysporum N5 produced maximum amount of cellulase enzyme at 5 days of incubation at 30 ℃ and pH 7, viz, β 1, 4 endoglucanase (167.83± U/ml), β 1, 4 exoglucanase (29.04± U/ml), and β glucosidase (34.07± U/ml). SEM coupled Energy dispersive X-ray and FTIR spectroscopy methods revealed the cellulose degradation efficiency of fungal cellulase by microscopic, elemental percentage, and functional group, respectively. An affordable and eco-friendly fungal-based cellulase that will boost industrially important commodity production such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, and biofuels.

Interest in hemp as a viable cellulosic fibre for clothing has increased, driven partly by its economic benefits and the importance of natural renewable materials in emerging circular economies. However, the coloration and chemical finishing of lignocellulosic fibres such as hemp typically require large quantities of water and chemicals. Argon plasma pretreatment provides a way of modulating the physical properties of hemp fibres to improve the coloration process without compromising other bulk properties such as tensile strength. Such plasma treatments may contribute to alleviating the negative environmental impacts associated with liquid pretreatments, heating, or the use of auxiliary chemicals. Dyeing of hemp fibres is particularly challenging due to its crystalline chemical structure. In this study, low-pressure argon plasma-assisted surface modification of woven hemp fabrics up to 600 s at 40 and 80 Hz was explored for enhanced dyeability, resulting in enhanced dye-fibre bonding. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy of argon plasma pretreated hemp fabrics produced no noticeable changes in the functional groups of the fibres, but a physiochemical modification was observed in terms of the density of polar groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed marked morphological changes including nano-etching of the fibre surface at certain argon plasma process conditions. The pretreatment process increased fibre hydrophilicity, and enhanced reactivity of the surficial –OH groups towards fibre-reactive and vat dyes, resulting in higher colour strength in dyed woven hemp fabrics. Overall, we envisage such plasma pretreatments may impact positively on the material and energy efficiency of the hemp fabric dyeing process.

Cellulose was extracted from newspaper waste and purified by alkali treatment process. The white color cellulose without ink and glue was obtained and then characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis reported that the purified cellulose was thermally stable at the room temperature. The microstructure of cellulose showed random orientation of fiber with air-instituted in between, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and laser confocal microscopy. The purified cellulose was applied as the substrate for enzymatic colorimetric sensor. The sensor was fabricated by immobilizing pH indicator and diamine oxidase on the cellulose surface. Then, the sensor responses toward the bogenic amines (cadaverine, putrescine and histamine), the food spoilage indicator, were measured by naked eye and spectrophotometry. The color change from orangish to a blueish color with linear range of 0.25–2.0 mg/mL for cadaverine, 0.05–2.0 mg/mL for putrescine, and 2.5–10.0 mg/mL for histamine, were obtained. This platform was advantageous due to ease of use, low cost, portable size, and user-friendly readout. Ultimately, this recycled newspaper based colorimetric biogenic amine sensor was applied for the detection of biogenic amines in ground pork samples with satisfactory results.

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) are promising renewable materials due to their high surface area, abundance, and ease of modification. This study explores the impact of source material on CNF properties for diverse applications like drug delivery and composites. CNF were prepared from corn cob (CC), bagasse (BG), waste wood (WW), and bacterial cellulose (BC) using TEMPO-mediated oxidation. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was also oxidized (MCC-ox) for comparison. The transparency, chemical structure, crystallinity index, and surface charge of the resulting CNF were investigated. As a result, all CNF yields ranged from 25 % to 34 %. FT-IR analysis confirmed successful TEMPO oxidation by detecting carboxyl groups on all CNF surfaces. BC-derived CNF displayed the second-highest transparency after MCC. Surface charge analysis revealed the highest carboxyl content in MCC-ox (8828.39 mmol/kg), followed by CNF-BC (8438.84 mmol/kg), CNF-CC (7687.24 mmol/kg), CNF-WW (6720.43 mmol/kg), and CNF-BG (5505.61 mmol/kg). XRD analysis indicated the highest crystallinity index in MCC-ox (83.40 %) due to its high purity, followed by CNF-BC (82.52 %) likely due to its nanostructure and high purity, and CNF-CC (78.14 %) potentially due to the rigid and dense structure of corn cobs. These findings provide valuable insights into selecting CNF with the desired characteristics for various fields such as material science, nanotechnology, and biomedicine.

Natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) composed of choline chloride and formic acid was used to fractionate date waste into lignin and cellulose streams. NADES treatment increased the cellulose content from 44 wt% in raw waste (RW) to 72 wt% in extracted cellulose fibers (CFs). Scanning electron microscopy revealed needle-like fibers, underlining the effectiveness of NADES treatment in removing non-cellulosic components. Additionally, the CFs exhibited improved thermal stability, with an initial decomposition temperature (Tonset) of 265 °C. Kinetic analysis revealed a higher activation energy (Ea) of 100.90 kJ/mol for CFs than 63.10 kJ/mol for RW, indicating higher thermal stability due to enhanced cellulose content. Pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy analyses of CFs showed a lower release of nitrogen compounds and a higher content of hydrocarbons and cyclic ethers, all of which are beneficial for bio-oil production. Overall, the findings of this study will promote the use of NADES as an inexpensive, nontoxic, and recyclable solvent to advance the field of selective pyrolysis.

In this study, cellulose was successfully purified from sugarcane bagasse by alkali treatment and bleaching process. Then, 2-10 wt% of purified cellulose was added into polyethylene glycol and acrylic acid-based hydrogel composite. 25 kGy of gamma irradiation dose was employed to form the gel. With the presence of various cellulose contents, no significant change of functional group was therefore observed. The hydrogel composite was thermally resisted up to 250°C. The microstructure of composite exhibited as an interconnected porosity throughout hydrogel network. Cellulose was located inside hydrogel composite. The gel fraction and porosity for all of composites were reported to be 92-97% and 73-81%, respectively. The swelling behavior was very rapid within initial stage (5 hours) and then, it presented as a plateau region. The presence of purified cellulose significantly offered high dimensional stability. After that, in order to enhance the ability for Hg2+ adsorption, bPEI was coated onto the surface of hydrogel composite. FTIR was employed to evaluate the presence of N-H stretching. At the neutral pH, it defined as an optimal region for adsorption. The efficiency and capacity for Hg2+ adsorption were reported to be 55.17% and 82.94 mg/g in 24 hours, respectively. This was related to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model due to R2 of 0.9941 indicating the chemical adsorption process. Furthermore, EDX analysis confirmed that the existence of Hg was presented onto hydrogel composite surface. It was remarkably noted that purified cellulose from sugarcane bagasse was successfully inserted into hydrogel composite by gamma irradiation technique. It provided a great promise as a platform for mercury ion adsorption.

The production of cellulose derivatives using ionic liquid (IL) as solvents and catalysts has become prominent over the last few years, since the process eliminates the use of toxic substances. This study aimed to map and understand the trends in cellulose processing using ILs by a patent analytic approach and technology life cycle modeling. The documents were searched on the Espacenet® and Orbit® platforms.The majority of innovations have come from companies based in developed countries. The data fitted to the sigmoid BiDoseResp model and the life cycle S-curve showed a market in an early stage of maturity. This mapping brings information that subsidizes decision-making regarding investments, research, and innovations aimed at IL-mediated cellulose treatment. Potential markets mostly use ILs of the imidazolium family in polymer chemistry, machinery, and biotechnology technologies. However, medical and pharmaceutical technologies and microstructure and nanostructure applications are still emerging, fostering perspectives for innovation.

The use of microbe-based biological control for crop pests is recognized as an environmentally safe substitute for conventional chemical pesticides. However, the practical application of microbial inoculants in large-scale agriculture is underexplored, impeding their widespread commercial adoption. This study addresses the scarcity of research on effective delivery methods for microbial inoculants, particularly through seed coating, which has the potential to be a cost- and time-efficient strategy in crop management. In this research, the Trichoderma harzianum strain Th4d, a biological control agent (BCA), was incorporated into specially formulated biopolymeric compositions based on chitosan and cellulose. The efficacy of this seed coating approach was tested against various soil- and seed-borne pathogens in oilseed crops, including soybean, groundnut, and safflower. Results indicate that safflower treated with the biopolymer chitosan-based T. harzianum Th4d 1 % liquid formulation blend exhibited a higher seed yield of 793 kg/ha, seed germination of 84.7 %, and a significant reduction in wilt and root rot by 64.7 %. In groundnut crops, the seed coating led to a seed germination rate of 88.6 %, a 72 % reduction in root rot incidence, and a seed yield of 3040 kg/ha. Similarly, soybean crops treated with the biopolymer chitosan and T. harzianum Th4d displayed 83.4 % seed germination, a 70.9 % reduction in root rot, and a seed yield of 1239 kg/ha. Further on-farm evaluations demonstrated promising results, with the biopolymer chitosan-based T. harzianum Th4d 1 % liquid formulation blend seed treatment showing a high incremental cost-benefit ratio in safflower (1:4.5), soybean (1:2.5), and groundnut crops (1:3.3). This study underscores the potential of microbe-based seed coating as a sustainable and economically viable strategy for pest management in oilseed crops.''

Cellulose has advantages of easy availability, low price, renewability and biodegradability, making it a very promising substitute for fossil-based materials. A safe composite cellulose membrane for quasi-solid-state lithium ion batteries has been developed by coating cellulose separators with poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP). This membrane exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, with an ionic conductivity as high as 2.1 mS cm−1, and a lithium-ion transference number of 0.57. The membrane shows good electrolyte wetting properties, with porosity and liquid electrolyte uptake of 47.2 % and 401.7 %, respectively. It has good thermal stability and can maintain its dimensional stability even at 200 ℃. The capacity retention of the quasi-solid-state LiFePO4/Li battery assembled with this membrane after 200 cycles at 0.2 C is about 86.7 %. The quasi-solid-state battery has good thermal stability and is not prone to thermal runaway.

Sulfonated polysulfone (SPS) composite membranes consisting of cellulose-based carbon nanodots (CNDs) were successfully prepared as a proton exchange membrane (PEM) for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. The CNDs were prepared using the top-down hydrothermal method. The structure transformation from cellulose to CNDs was confirmed by the FTIR and XRD analysis. The particle size of CNDs was between 1 and 3 nm. The particles exhibited good optical properties. The incorporation of CND into matrix polymer increased the thermal stability of the membranes. Morphology analysis of the SPS/CND composite membranes revealed that CNDs had been successfully dispersed within the SPS polymer matrix. The cross-linking between SPS and CNDs enhanced the proton conductivity of the composite membranes compared to the pristine SPS membrane. The SPS/CND-1 (1 wt%) exhibited the highest selectivity with a proton conductivity of 35.5 mS.cm−1 and a methanol permeability of 3.50 × 10−6 cm2.s−1. The experimental results indicate that the incorporation of CNDs into the SPS membrane also decreased the amount of methanol that can pass through the membrane when used in DMFCs.

It is still an enormous challenge to regulate microstructure of pure carbonaceous electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbents in order to gain superior wideband microwave absorption (MA) with environmentally adaptive ability. Herein, the novel pure cellulose-derived graphite carbon materials (CGC) with abundant defects were fabricated via the self-assembly strategy combined with simple carbonization for the first time. The EM and MA performance of as-prepared CGC with different carbonization temperatures were studied in detail. The minimum reflection loss of CGC was up to −46.2 dB (over 99.99% MA) at only 1.42 mm, and the maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EABmax, RL

The current study deals with the synthesis and characterization of superabsorbent hydrogels from rice husk cellulose. Rice husks are slow decomposing waste from the milling of rice with an estimated composition of cellulose (50 %), lignin (25–30 %), silica (15–20 %), and moisture (10–15 %). The aim of using it as a source of cellulose was to provide an alternative use of the otherwise incinerated waste product that is abundantly available in rice producing countries like Kenya. Cellulose-based hydrogels continue to attract interest because of their biocompatibility and biodegradability for which they have found use in several fields including drug release, packaging films, agriculture, among others. The cellulose was extracted from rice husk and crosslinked with phosphoric acid under microwave oven heating. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence. Four parameters namely, heating time, microwave oven power out-put, percent swelling and the amount of cross-linker required for complete reaction were optimized for the synthesis of superabsorbent hydrogels. The optimum percentage swelling was found to be 877 %, heating time of 3 minutes, microwave oven power output of 420 watts (level 6 on the microwave oven dial), 10 mL of cross-linker when 2 g cellulose was used. The efficacy of the hydrogel in maize growing was determined by planting maize in pots in a greenhouse under varied hydrogel dose treatments and measuring growth and yield parameters over a period of twelve weeks. The values of plant growth and yield parameters were found to increase with hydrogel dose with the best results being observed among maize plants grown under the hydrogel dose of 5 g per pot. It was observed that the maize plants in pots treated with hydrogel continued to thrive while those in pots without any hydrogel dried off as expected when rains fail. These results are significant in that they demonstrate that rice husk cellulose-based hydrogels are efficacious in maize growing in a greenhouse.

Novel research has been conducted on Aloe vera, focusing on stems fiber (agricultural waste), for the extraction of cellulosic fiber, an area lacking prior scientific exploration. This fiber is being reported for the first time in the scientific community. Aloe barbadensis Miller variety was subjected to various cultivation methods, including the application of inorganic and organic fertilizers, along with the removal of lower leaves to promote stem growth. Stem fibers were extracted using the water retting method and subsequently analyzed. The moisture content was 55.35 % and 6.99 % ash content in the fibers. The bacteriostatic analysis of Aloe vera fibers was assessed against four bacterial strains, with both ethanol and water extracts showing varying degrees of inhibition zones. The UV–Visible spectrum exhibited a distinct λmax at 247 nm in ethanol, while FT-IR analysis provided characteristic peaks at 3759, 1590, 1750, 1663, 1250, 564, SEM images displayed the smooth surface morphology of the fibers, and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated a high degree of crystallinity (78.67 %), suggesting a well-structured and crystalline nature. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was conducted to determine the elemental composition of the fibers, revealing the presence of carbon, oxygen, calcium, and copper, with carbon being the predominant element in cellulose. These results showed promising properties suggesting potential applications in textile industry as an alternative sustainable natural cellulosic fiber.

As water effluents are often highly contaminated with metals, having a quick and cost-effective method of analysis is crucial. This study used the supernatant derived from the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with Solanum mammosum to detect mercury, copper, and iron with a low-cost cellulose paper-based sensor and a rapid colorimetric method applying ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis). AgNPs in two precursor concentrations using silver nitrate, 1 mM (17.4 ± 9 nm) and 50 mM (and 22 ± 8.1 nm), were utilized to assess the efficacy of the analysis and removal of Hg2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+ from contaminated water. Cellulose paper-based sensor showed limits of detection (LODs) for Hg2+ of 2.46 and 123 μM using AgNPs at concentrations of 1 and 50 mM, respectively. For Cu2+, the LODs were 55 and 2750 μM, and for Fe3+, the LODs were 49 and 2470 μM using the respective concentrations. To differentiate and detect the cations with the naked eye, a potassium iodide and potassium ferrocyanide (1:1) aqueous solution was used, producing a yellow, pink, and blue color for Hg2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+, respectively. Additionally, the titration curves of Hg2+, Fe3+, and Cu2+ were examined by UV–Vis using the supernatant liquid. The LODs for the UV–Vis method using AgNPs at a concentration of 1 mM were 1.50 μM for Hg2+, 10.7 μM for Cu2+, and 4.33 μM for Fe3+, while the LODs for AgNPs at 50 mM were 5.75, 27.6, and 15 μM for Hg2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+, respectively. Furthermore, these nanoparticles were utilized to assess the efficacy of the removal of Hg2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+ from contaminated water. Removal efficiency with the solid 50 mM AgNPs was analyzed via flame absorption spectrophotometry; values over 95% were obtained for the three ions. The results underscore the effectiveness of a green synthesis approach to generating AgNPs, enabling efficient and economical cation analysis and water decontamination.

Summary: Indanone and its analogs are widely used intermediates for many useful chemicals. Decalin and its alkylated analogs are major components of thermal-stable aviation fuels and the additives used to improve the thermal stability of aviation fuel. In this work, we develop an integrated route to selectively produce trimethyl-indanone or alkylated decalin with cellulose. First, cellulose was hydrogenolyzed to 2,5-hexanedione in a biphasic reaction system of toluene/NH4Br aqueous solution over Pd/C catalyst. Under the catalysis of alkali hydroxide, 2,5-hexanedione was converted to a mixture of C12 oxygenates (with trimethyl-indanone as the main component) at room temperature. Trimethyl-indanone can be used as an intermediate for many useful chemicals. Moreover, the C12 oxygenates can be hydrodeoxygenated to a mixture of dimethyl decalin and C12 monocycloalkanes with a low freezing point (200 K) and high density (0.85 g mL−1). This work provides insights on the preparation of indanone or advanced aviation fuel with cellulose. Science for society: The production of valuable chemicals and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with renewable, cheap, and abundant lignocellulose has drawn a lot of attention. Indanone and its analogs are widely used as intermediates in the manufacture of many useful chemicals. Currently, these compounds are obtained from fossil resources at low yields. Decalin and alkylated decalins are additives to improve the thermal stability of aviation fuel. Herein, we report an integrated route for the selective preparation of trimethyl-indanone or alkylated decalins with cellulose, the most abundant biomass. Compared with the reported processes to produce indanone analogs or SAF, this new process has several advantages, such as renewable feedstock, mild reaction conditions, fewer steps, and excellent fuel properties (e.g., lower freezing point, higher volumetric heat value, thermal stability of final products, etc.). This work paves a new way for the high-value utilization of cellulose.

In hot and arid desert regions, degradable chemical sand-fixing agents are efficient in dealing with problems caused by wind-blown sand movement without damaging the environment. This study aimed to develop a set of biodegradable sand-stabilizing substances, cellulose acetate (CA)-based waterborne polyurethane (WPU), utilizing CA as a partial hydroxyl provision through an acetone-based technique. The findings demonstrate that all the CA/WPU sand-fixing agents had unique, evenly spherical particles and were fully capable of degradation. The CA/WPU-2 sand-fixing agent contained 20 % polypropylene glycol (PPG) of CA. It showed strong viscosity, thermal stability, and water resistance. Furthermore, seed germination will be hindered by the CA/WPU-2 sand-fixing agent due to its superior sand-fixing capability compared to pure WPU. Consequently, it is suitable for application in arid regions where plant survival is difficult. CA/WPU-6 contained 120%PPG of CA. it showed outstanding O2 permeability and hydrophilicity due to its significant use of cellulose acetate. In addition, it demonstrated higher wind-blown sand resistance compared to popular commercial sand-fixation production. Furthermore, it sustained a consolidation strength lower than the highest penetration capability for herbaceous plant seeds. Therefore, CA/WPU-6 is a suitable option for establishing vegetation in dry situations. The results of this study address the demand for sustainable production and cost reduction, offering significant potential for industrial applications.

This study investigates the development of sustainable multifunctional foams utilizing hemp stalk waste, lignin, xylan, pectin, glycerol, and citric acid. Using the freeze-drying method for foam formation in combination with industrial waste products and renewable resources, we emphasize a green, scalable material development approach. In total, 25 distinct formulations were prepared and methodically examined, mainly focusing on the roles of citric acid, pectin, and glycerol. Thermal crosslinking, conducted at 140°C, was analyzed using FTIR, confirming the formation of ester bonds. The microstructural characterization of the foams revealed distinct variations from nanofibrillar to microfibrillar structures based on composition. The bulk density of the foams ranged from 13 to 152 mg/cm3, and porosity values varied from 97 % to 99 % for most of the compositions. Foams showed up to 50 g/g water, 51 g/g rapeseed oil, and 46 g/g kerosine absorption. Foam absorption capacity changes were examined through 10 iterative cycles in water, demonstrating that most compositions retained near-original absorption capacities. Adding glycerol conferred exceptional hydrophobic properties to the foam surfaces, as evidenced by water contact angles ranging between 140° and 150°. The thermal conductivity of foams ranged from 0.040 to 0.046 W/mK. The mechanical properties of foams were assessed using compression testing, which showed highly tunable structures ranging from soft to rigid. This study illustrates the broad applicability of these foams, emphasizing their utility in thermal insulation, filtration systems, and environmental cleanup, among other potential uses.

This study evaluates the mechanical properties and formulation of dental restoration material comprised of cellulose acetate (CA) from water hyacinth and chitosan (C) from white shrimp shells. The research phases included extraction, formulation, functional group testing, antibacterial, toxicity, water absorption and solubility, compressive, shear, tensile, hardness, microleakage, thermal expansion, and shrinkage. The experimental data were analyzed using probit regression, one-way ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis test. The data showed that CA and C had microxyl and amine groups, could inhibit S. mutans, and were non-toxic. Composite resins were divided into nine formulations with different concentrations: F1 (1 % CA + 3 % C), F2 (1 % CA + 5 % C), F3 (1 % CA + 7 % C), F4 (3 % CA + 3 % C), F5 (3 % CA + 5 % C), F6 (3 % CA + 7 % C), F7 (5 % CA + 3 % C), F8 (5 % CA + 5 % C), and F9 (5 % CA + 7 % C). The F9 has mechanical strength close to the control group, with 113.33 μg/mm3 absorption, 80 μg/mm3 solubility, 32.67 Mpa compressive strength, 17.18 Mpa tensile strength, and no shrinkage. It shows that F9 has potential as an eco-friendly dental filling material. The present study completed the development of a formulation for a restoration material by combining water hyacinth fiber and shrimp skin chitosan. The outcomes of a comparative analysis of the mechanical properties of synthetic composite resins and water hyacinth fiber composites containing shrimp skin chitosan revealed that the F9 formulation (CA 5 % + C 7 %) exhibited the following fiber: absorption, compressive strength, tensile strength, hardness, and thermal expansion.

The morphological development of rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaves is closely related to plant architecture, physiological activities, and resistance. However, it is unclear whether there is a co-regulatory relationship between the morphological development of leaves and adaptation to drought environment. In this study, a drought-sensitive, roll-enhanced, and narrow-leaf mutant (renl1) was induced from a semi-rolled leaf mutant (srl1) by ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS), which was obtained from Nipponbare (NPB) through EMS. Map-based cloning and functional validation showed that RENL1 encodes a cellulose synthase, allelic to NRL1/OsCLSD4. The RENL1 mutation resulted in reduced vascular bundles, vesicular cells, cellulose, and hemicellulose contents in cell walls, diminishing the water-holding capacity of leaves. In addition, the root system of the renl1 mutant was poorly developed and its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) was decreased, leading to an increase in ROS after drought stress. Meanwhile, genetic results showed that RENL1 and SRL1 synergistically regulated cell wall components. Our results revealed a theoretical basis for further elucidating the molecular regulation mechanism of cellulose on rice drought tolerance, and provided a new genetic resource for enhancing the synergistic regulation network of plant type and stress resistance, thereby realizing simultaneous improvement of multiple traits in rice.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a well-known metal chelator and an attractive ligand for covalently modifying adsorbents for bioremediation. Cellulose, a naturally occurring biopolymer, has immense potential as an inexpensive, earth abundant, biocompatible scaffold for EDTA-facilitated environmental remediation; however, pretreatment of the material is required to achieve sufficient degrees of chemical modification. In this study, Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) is used to prepare commercial cotton Aida cloth for EDTA functionalization. Following NFW, the cotton scaffold was covalently modified with up to 0.56 mmol of EDTA per gram of adsorbent, a nearly 2.5-fold increase over native material. The welded EDTA-modified substrates were tested qualitatively against cobalt and quantitatively against nickel, reaching equilibrium binding capacities (qe) of up to 46 mg metal per g of adsorbent, on par with capacities reported from past work on EDTA-modified cellulose. In addition, adsorbent material could be regenerated using mild acid treatment with no significant loss in qe. Unlike the controls, the fiber-welded EDTA-Aida did not fray even after 3 chelation cycles, indicating enhanced textile robustness afforded through NFW treatment. Overall, NFW offers a new approach to converting commercially available, sustainable biomaterials into robust adsorbents for environmental remediation.

Water treatment has emerged as a global priority in recent years due to its direct impact on human health. To address this concern, the utilization of cost-effective, readily available, and efficient materials is imperative in overcoming associated challenges. In this study, cellulose derived from Luffa cylindrica (LC) underwent oxidation using (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO) and subsequently functionalized with amine groups from poly(ethylenimine) (PEI). The resulting material was then composited with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofiber. The modified membrane was employed for the adsorption of hexavalent chromium from wastewater using various pH, contact time, temperature, concentration, and composite dose. The findings revealed that the process is pH-dependent with a high optimal removal (93 %) observed at pH 2, (94 %) for the composite dose, and (90.3 %) for contact time. The Kinetics were studied by applying pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and Intraparticle diffusion models. And the data suggested that the adsorption process adheres to the pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.9948). Moreover, the adsorption isotherm examined by Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and D-P equation and results exhibited a satisfactory fit to the Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.99193) and the maximum removable capacity was (52.91).

The study focused on utilizing lemon grass straw to generate cellulose through the process of delignification, which involves the removal of hemicelluloses, followed by bleaching. The study involves the microwave-assisted alkali extraction, followed by characterizing the extracted material. At microwave power of 540 W using 8 % NaOH for 3 min for lignin removal and 540 W for 2 min for bleaching showed the maximum yield of 37.46 %. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is employed to analyze the physical properties of extracted cellulose, namely the hydroxyl (OH), carbonyl (C=O), C–H bonds, C–O and C–C bonds, and glycosidic linkage (C–O–C) within the cellulose polymer chain. The extracted cellulose exhibited excellent thermal stability, as indicated by its high breakdown temperature. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed prominent peaks at 14.8°, 16.5°, and 22.5°, demonstrating the presence of crystalline cellulose. The crystallinity index value of 70.02 % further confirmed the crystalline nature of the extracted cellulose.

Understanding how the solvent structure affects the stability of the dissolved state and the following precipitation is important for designing future dissolution-coagulation systems for cellulose processing. In this study, two morpholinium hydroxides with different alkyl chain lengths, namely N,N-dimethylmorpholinium hydroxide (NDMMOH(aq)) and N‑butyl‑N-methyl morpholinium hydroxide (BMMorOH(aq)), were studied and compared with the previously thoroughly investigated cellulose solvent benzyltriemethylammonium hydroxide (Triton B(aq)) which is well-known for its superior ability to stabilize the dissolved state. Cellulose solutions in each solvent were characterized by NMR, flow and frequency sweeps, while cellulose coagulation by CO2(g) was followed by in situ FTIR, pH and temperature measurements. The coagulated systems were characterized by CP/MAS 13C NMR, flow, and frequency sweep measurements. Complementary molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were performed to gain a deeper insight into the observed gelation behavior. The intrinsic viscosity indicated more extended cellulose chains in the solvents with more hydrophobic moieties (Triton B and BMMorOH). Even though the course of coagulation did not show any significant differences during monitoring, both the properties of the obtained gels and the MD simulations indicated differences in formation and properties of the coagulated materials that could be related both to the choice of solvent and coagulant.

Cell wall biomass, Earth’s most abundant natural resource, holds significant potential for sustainable biofuel production. Composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, and other polymers, the plant cell wall provides essential structural support to diverse organisms in nature. In contrast, non-plant species like insects, crustaceans, and fungi rely on chitin as their primary structural polysaccharide. The saprophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus has been widely recognized for its adaptability to various environmental conditions. It achieves this by secreting different cell wall biomass degradation enzymes to obtain essential nutrients. This review compiles a comprehensive collection of cell wall degradation enzymes derived from A. fumigatus, including cellulases, hemicellulases, various chitin degradation enzymes, and other polymer degradation enzymes. Notably, these enzymes exhibit biochemical characteristics such as temperature tolerance or acid adaptability, indicating their potential applications across a spectrum of industries.

Biopolymer composites represent an emerging alternative to petroleum-derived polymers for applications in electronic devices. Cellulose from Luffa cylindrical was treated with acid, and graphene oxide was produced from waste battery rod graphite. The two products were characterized using FTIR, SEM, TGA and XRD. After that, starch-based bioplastic films with varying amounts of acid-treated cellulose (ALC-cellulose) and graphene oxide (GO) as fillers were prepared, and the physical and electrical properties were determined. XRD data revealed a crystallinity of 62% for the ALC-cellulose and 52% for the cellulose precursor. GO had a d-spacing of 0.76 nm compared to 0.29 nm for battery-sourced graphite. TEM micrograph analyses revealed an average fibre diameter of 44.7 nm for acid-treated cellulose and 99.7 nm for cellulose. The density, thickness, opacity, and tensile strength of the bioplastic films increased from 1.31 to 1.44 g/cm3, 0.21–0.48 mm, 14.78–38.64, and 0.98–1.42 MPa, respectively, while the moisture content, swelling ability, and porosity reduced, with an increase in percentage composition of the filler materials. The dielectric constant and conductivity increased from 50.3 to 6965.2 and 0.0036–0.0147 S/m with an increase in percentage composition of the filler materials except for Filmcr4, which showed a drop in dielectric constant (3033.73) and conductivity (0.0074 S/m). Overall, this study has demonstrated that bioplastic filler materials can be sourced from waste materials and that these fillers improved the starch-based bioplastic film's physical and electrical properties.

Coffee pulp waste was having potential to be used as a source of non-wood cellulose for papermaking because of its abundance, considerable fraction of cellulose content, and low economic value. In this study, the isolated cellulosic fiber from coffee pulp waste was prepared into paper with the specific purpose of filter for coffee, with the aim as an effort to develop economic value and potential alternative utilization to reduce the environmental impact of coffee pulp waste accumulation, besides suggesting alternative non-wood cellulose source for coffee filter paper. The effect of extraction process repetition using 3 % (w/w) sodium hydroxide was studied to evaluate its effectiveness in removing the non-cellulosic content of coffee pulp, especially lignin, which could damage the taste of coffee. The physical and mechanical properties and water flow ability of coffee pulp filter paper (CPFP) were conducted to evaluate its characteristics and performance. The result showed that three times repetitions of alkali treatment to coffee pulp produced similar lignocellulosic content quality to the commercial wood-based coffee filter paper, with cellulose fraction reaching 86.67 % and residual lignin around 5.39 %. The coffee pulp-based filter paper made from three times repetition of alkali-treated coffee pulp has comparable tensile strength and excellent folding resistance compared to commercial filter paper, which reached around 526 ± 198.4 N/m and 1 df, respectively. The coffee pulp-based filter paper also demonstrated could withstand discharged through by boiling water without breaking. According to the resulting performance of CPFP, coffee pulp waste is promising to be further developed as an alternative non-wood resource for coffee filter paper manufacturing.

The first bentonite catalyst for oxidation of sulfides and oxidative coupling of thiols was fabricated. This novel catalyst was included natural bentonite, extracted cellulose from wheat wastes, and vanadium complex (Cell/Bent@V nanocomposite). It was characterized using SEM, TEM, ICP, AFM, XRD, XPS, and FT-IR. Further, oxidation of primary and secondary of alcohols were considered to show its catalytic potential for the various substrates. High yield, excellent conversion, and selectivity were observed for oxidation reactions catalyzed by Cell/Bent@V nanocomposite. Cel/Ben/V nanocomposite was shown the excellent stability and activity confirming by SEM, XRD, and FT-IR of recycled catalyst. Finally, the effect of ultrasonic irradiation instead of stirring on the oxidation reaction was evaluated. The high yields and conversions in the less times were observed.

We have identified a HRP enzyme with microcrystalline cellulose activity, which has not yet been explored. The current study investigated the effect of HRP pretreatment on the microcrystalline cellulose substrates, Avicel and filter paper. SEM findings showed that HRP pretreatment catalysed the para-microcrystalline regions of Avicel, cracking and opening the pores on the surface. On filter paper, HRP removed the para-microcrystalline regions exposing fibres. Crystallinity index (CrI) analysis confirmed that HRP increased the CrI of Avicel from 49 % to 54.19 % and filter paper from 42 % to 47 %. The cellulose crystallite sizes increased from 45 to 47 nm at the 002 lattices in Avicel, suggesting a reduction of crystalline cellulose. In addition, endoglucanase displayed 1.15-fold increased activity on HRP-pretreated Avicel, confirming reduced crystalline cellulose. These findings showed that HRP pretreatment changed the structural and chemical properties of Avicel, i.e., loosening crystalline cellulose to make the substrate accessible to enzymes during hydrolysis. Finally, these findings were supported by rooibos microcrystalline cellulose modification post-HRP pretreatment, resulting in a 95 % yield of soluble sugars at 25 mg enzyme cocktail/g biomass.

Lignocellulose biomass (LCB) is a plant biomass mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Cellulose is the most abundant biodegradable polymer on Earth and is very useful for various applications. However, the complex structure of lignocellulosic biomass, in which cellulose is tightly bound to hemicellulose and lignin, poses significant challenges in the isolation of cellulose from LCB components. This necessitates efficient pretreatment techniques to enable cellulose separation. Conventional pretreatment methods are not sustainable because they involve the use of harsh chemicals, elevated temperatures, high energy consumption, low productivity, and the formation of fermentation inhibitors which can increase the cost of biomass processing with negative environmental impacts. Green pretreatment methods have been proposed to address these issues using milder and more sustainable approaches. These green methods are evaluated in terms of their delignification efficiency, reduced solvent requirement, environmental impact, economic viability, and relevance to recent advancements in sustainable pretreatment technologies. This review provides overview of the application of green and environmentally friendly methods in the isolation of cellulose from various lignocellulosic biomass, as well as the potential of cellulose as a key feedstock in the bioeconomy by showcasing cellulose versatility in various industrial applications.

This study investigates Ficus Macrocarpa tree bark fibers (FMB) as a sustainable alternative reinforcement for polymer composites. The Industrial Revolution marked the evolution of polymer composites with synthetic material reinforcement, leading to environmental concerns. Natural fibers have recently gained prominence as efficient alternatives for polymer composites. Despite numerous natural fibers being considered, ensuring a sustainable raw material source remains crucial. In this study, fibers were extracted from FMB and subjected to alkali treatment to evaluate their impact on physical, chemical, and thermal properties. Initially, the extracted fibers measured 253.80 ± 15 μm in diameter, reduced to 223.27 ± 12 μm post-alkali treatment. Chemical analysis showed an increase in cellulose content to 59.7 wt%, a 23.34 % improvement over untreated fibers (48.4 wt%). The crystalline index for untreated and treated fibers measured 80.20 % and 84.75 %, respectively, with no noticeable changes in the cellulose phase. Additionally, the crystalline size increased to 3.21 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced stability of treated fibers up to 378.87 °C, while the kinetic activation energy remained constant at 64.76 kJ/mol for both the treated and the untreated fibers. The alkali treatment further improved surface roughness to 39.26, confirmed by scanning electron microscopic images. These findings highlight the potential of cellulose fibers from Ficus Macrocarpa bark as a sustainable and environmentally friendly replacement for synthetic fibers in polymer composites. The enhanced physical properties and excellent thermal stability make them a promising choice for eco-conscious materials.

The release rate and time are very important for the drug carriers, silica aerogel filled hydroxypropyl cellulose/chitosan (SA/HPC/CS) composites were fabricated for the release of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), and the release rate and time were regulated with the content of SA, pH value and external coating material. Firstly, the 5-Fu loaded SA/HPC/CS composites and Eudragit L100 coated composites were prepared with cross-linking followed by freeze-drying, and characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, DSC, and TG. Then, the effect of SA content on the encapsulation efficiency of SA/HPC/CS@5-Fu was investigated, and 5-Fu release behavior under different pH values from these aerogel composites was evaluated with four kinetic models. In addition, to further solve the abrupt effect of the obtained composites, Eudragit L100 coated SA/HPC/CS@5-Fu was fabricated, the sustained release behavior revealed that the coating technique can effectively improve the release behavior and extend release time.

In recent decades, natural fibers have emerged as an alternative to synthetic fibers due to their renewable nature, lower environmental impact, and comparable strength properties. Agave bagasse, a byproduct of agave juice extraction in Mexico, stands out for its potential in various industrial applications, notably biocomposite production. Bagasse is rich in cellulose, along with hemicellulose and lignin. Cellulose is the most suitable to be converted into valuable products, and it is versatile, renewable, and biodegradable. An effective pre-treatment is crucial to enrich its fraction. This study aims to determine the optimal pre-treatment conditions for the agave bagasse. Three different pre-treatments were tested, acid (H2SO4), enzymatic (Cellic® HTec2 enzymatic preparation), and sequence of acid-enzymatic (sulfuric acid and Cellic® HTec2), to determine which pre-treatment got the optimal cellulose fraction increase. The acid pre-treatment was conducted over three time ranges (5, 10, and 15 min) at different acid concentrations (1%, 1.5%, and 2%). Enzymatic reactions were conducted over 24 h, testing three different enzyme concentrations (1.5%, 3%, 4.5%). The sequential pre-treatment utilized the optimal conditions derived from the acid experiments (1.5% H2SO4 for 10 min), followed by enzymatic reactions carried out over three different durations (6, 12, and 24 h). The findings revealed that a 1.5% acid concentration applied for 10 min was the most efficient pre-treatment method. This pre-treatment resulted in a 1.9-fold increase in the cellulose fraction while reducing hemicellulose content by 30%. The hemicellulose reduction was confirmed through Fourier Transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations highlighting physical alterations in the fiber structure. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated improved thermal stability, suggesting potential use in biocomposites. Future research should evaluate the environmental impact of optimized pre-treatment methods for agave bagasse.

The data provided here relate to the research paper “Assessing the complementarity of TD-NMR, solid-state NMR and Dynamic Vapor Sorption in the characterization of polysaccharide-water interactions”. The original data from TD-NMR, ss-NMR and DVS is provided in .dps, topspin and .xls formats respectively, allowing other authors to repeat our processing protocols using different parameters. We also include results obtained by varying the signal treatments. The analysis of these multimodal data have highlighted a variation in polysaccharide-water interactions depending on the type of assembly. These datasets are very useful for discriminating between water bound to polysaccharides and water absorbed or adsorbed into polysaccharide network, a key element in understanding interactions in these assemblies and an essential approach for developing tailor-made polysaccharides-based products.

Composite sponges of natural rubber and cellulose fiber (NR-C) using sodium alginate (SA) as a dispersing agent were successfully fabricated by the Dunlop process. The aim of this work was to develop a green composite NR-C sponge with high mechanical properties and efficient water absorption capacity (WAC). The addition of SA could promote cellulose fiber dispersion in NR matrix and NR-cellulose interactions; accordingly, it resulted in highly macro-porous sponges with improved mechanical properties and higher hydrophilicity. NR-C sponge supplemented with cellulose at 45 parts per hundred rubbers (phr) and SA at 1 phr revealed significantly higher compressive stress and higher modulus of elasticity of about 5 times those of NR sponge. The maximum WAC at around 400 % was obtained from NR-C sponge supplemented with 30–45 phr cellulose and 1 phr SA. The initial water absorption rate and WAC of NR-C sponges were increased up to 5.6 and 1.8 times those of NR sponges, respectively. In addition, NR-C reinforced with high content of cellulose and SA could be sufficiently biodegraded in soil for about 21–27 % in120 days, which was considerably higher than that of NR sponges. According to their improved properties, NR-C composite sponges could be used an adsorbent or supporting material in many applications, including agriculture applications, such as a seed germination sponge or a hydroponic planting material and could also be further developed for biomedical applications as wound dressing.

Background: Cellulose is an organic carbon source that can be used as a sustainable alternative for energy, materials, and chemicals. However, the substantial challenge of converting it into soluble sugars remains a major obstacle in its use as a biofuel and chemical feedstock. A new class of enzymes knowns as copper-dependent polysaccharide monooxygenases (PMOs) or lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) can break down polysaccharides such as cellulose, chitin, and starch through oxidation. This process enhances the efficiency of cellulose degradation by cellulase. Results: The genome of the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast disease, contains the MGG_00245 gene, which encodes a putative PMO referred to as MoAA16. MoAA16 has been found to be highly expressed in planta during the early stages of fungal infection. The gene was optimized for heterologous expression in Pichia pastoris, and its oxidative cleavage activity on cellulose was characterized by analyzing soluble oligosaccharide products using highperformance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC-PAD). The reaction catalyzed by MoAA16 requires 2 electrons from an electron donor, such as ascorbic acid, and aerobic conditions. It primarily produces Glc1 to Glc4 oligosaccharides, as well as oxidized cellobionic and cellotrionic acids. MoAA16 has been observed to enhance cellulase hydrolysis on phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC) substrate, resulting in the production of more monosaccharide products. Conclusions: Our findings reveal the successful heterologous expression of MoAA16 in P. pastoris and its cellulose-active PMO properties. These results highlight the potential of MoAA16 as a promising candidate for applications in biofuel production and chemical synthesis.How to cite: Nguyen HM, Le LQ, Sella L, et al. Heterologous expression and characterization of a MoAA16 polysaccharide monooxygenase from the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Electron J Biotechnol 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2023.06.002.

With the worldwide attention on decreasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, carbon capture and storage (CCS) is utilized to stop CO2 from escaping into the atmosphere. Selecting appropriate materials is crucial for the establishment of a dependable and secure carbon capture and storage technology infrastructure. The natural cellulose materials possess inherent characteristics such as eco-friendliness, high utility, remarkable physical and mechanical properties, which make them particularly available for CCS. In the field of carbon capture, utilization and sequestration technologies, cellulose-based materials can be used as adsorbents for CO2 capture and as catalyst carriers for CO2 conversion. Firstly, the application of cellulose-based materials in carbon capture and conversion is introduced. Secondly, the research progress of cellulose-based films, aerogels and solid adsorbents in the field of carbon capture are summarized. Subsequently, the research mechanisms of cellulose-based materials for the conversion of CO2 to methanol format, carbonate and CO are also described in detail. Finally, the challenges and the key problems of cellulose-based materials in carbon capture and utilization are described.

Nitrocellulose (NC) has garnered significant interest among researchers due to its versatile applications, contingent upon the degree of nitration that modifies the cellulose structure. For instance, NC with a high nitrogen content, exceeding 12.5%, finds utility as a key ingredient in propellant formulations, while variants with lower nitrogen content prove suitable for a range of other applications, including the formulation of printing inks, varnishes, and coatings. This communication aims to present the outcomes of our efforts to optimize the nitration reaction of bacterial cellulose to produce high-nitrogen-content NC, employing the response surface methodology (RSM). Our investigation delves into the influence of the mole ratio of sulfuric and nitric acids, reaction temperature, and nitration duration on the nitrogen content of the resultant products. Utilizing a central composite design (CCD), we identified the optimal conditions for NC synthesis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) underscored the substantial impact of these reaction conditions on the percentage of nitrogen content (%N) yield. By implementing the predicted optimal conditions—namely, a H2SO4:HNO3 mole ratio of 3:1, a reaction temperature of 35 °C, and a reaction period of 22 min—we successfully produced NC with a nitrogen content of 12.64%. Characterization of these products encompassed elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).

This study introduces a new and waste-to-waste treatment approach to isolate cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass. Rejected brine solution from desalination plant was utilized to remove noncellulosic components from the date palm leaves. Free chlorine available in rejected brine solution was responsible for the separation of cellulose from lignocellulosic structure. The proximate analysis revealed that the isolated cellulose exhibited a substantial volatile content of 83.70%, rendering it well-suited to produce bio-oil. Various other analytical techniques including FTIR, chemical composition analysis, proximate and ultimate analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to confirm the cellulose enrichment. Cellulose fibers with needle−shaped morphology were obtained. Cellulose fibers were having high thermal stability (Tonset = 250 ○C) and crystallinity index (64.75%) compared to raw waste (Tonset = 226 ○C; 53.58%). In addition, the activation energy (Ea) of both date palm leaves and isolated cellulose were investigated using the Coats−Redfern model−fitting method. The activation energy values obtained were 79.39 kJ/mol for date palm leaves and 103.27 kJ/mol for isolated cellulose. This research shows a completely new process for pretreatment of lignocellulosic wastes to isolate cellulose. This approach helps reduce the waste management cost associated with date palm waste and desalination plants to promote the concept of circular economy. Moreover, enriched cellulose derived from waste palm leaves using desalination brine presents sustainable options for eco−friendly packaging, textiles, biodegradable composites, and enhanced bio-oil production applications.

Ultrathin carbon nanosheets were fabricated using renewable carbon sources. Cellulose, an important component in the food industry, was processed to form a food byproduct and used to synthesize carbon nanosheets. Both bacterial and nonbacterial cellulose from kombucha byproducts and apple pomace, respectively, were processed via purification and pyrolysis. An inert argon atmosphere and elevated temperatures of 600 °C–800 °C for 20 min were maintained during pyrolysis. Under these conditions, the apple pomace produced a higher yield of nanosheets than the kombucha byproduct. The nanosheets with the thickness of 4 nm were characterized using different spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy as well as microscopic techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. This sustainable, simple, and green method of carbon nanosheet production is a promising alternative to conventional methods of production.

Abstract100141: The conducting polymers and metal oxide-based nanocomposites (NCs) reported in the literature are non-biodegradable. We have synthesized cellulose/polyaniline/ternary metal oxide-based NCs which are environment-friendly and show multifunctional applications. Cellulose is a natural polymer. Polyaniline (PANI) is a synthetic polymer. Both natural and synthetic polymers were blended with ternary metal oxide NCs of Zn/Ni/CuO (ZNC). Epoxy-modified cellulose (EMC) was prepared. Sol-gel was used for producing ternary metal NCs, and a chemical oxidative process was used for PANI. Structural evaluation of EMC, PANI, and ZNC NCs was carried out by SEM, PXRD, Raman, FTIR, and UV–visible spectroscopy techniques. Photocatalytic, anticorrosive, electrical, and magnetic properties of PANI/EMC/ZNC NCs were investigated. The NCs show 85% degradation of Methyl Red dye in 180 min. PANI/EMC/ZNC NCs show 83.9% corrosion prevention efficiency for MS in 1.0 M H2SO4. The NCs show magnetic susceptibility (χ = 0.0714) in the paramagnetic region and an optical band gap of 2.3 eV. The PANI/EMC/ZNC NCs were proved to be very good photocatalytic, magnetic, electrical, and anticorrosive agents.

Smart colorimetric sensor for the naked-eye detection of food freshness is considered as the most attractive tool in food safety. Herein, we prepared curcumin (CUR) coated electrospun regenerated cellulose nanofiber (RCA) composites (CUR-Cot), to monitor the real-time spoilage of raw chicken. The physicochemical properties of the CUR-Cot sensor were completely studied. The surface modification, morphology, crystalline nature, and thermal stability of CUR-Cot were investigated by using various spectral, analytical, and microscopic techniques. Based on the results, the successful coating of CUR on the surface of RCA was confirmed. Interestingly, the CUR-Cot showed a significant change in total color difference value (ΔE, 0 days − 0.0–14.93, after 1 day – 14.93–23.64, after 2 days – 23.64–44.78, after 3 days- 44.78–55.22, and after 4 days – 55.22–60.96, detectable by the naked eye) in the real-time monitoring for chicken freshness. In addition, the present CUR-Cot smart colorimetric sensor is reversible with change in pH, and the reversed sensor can be reused. Furthermore, the hydrophobic nature of the CUR-Cot was confirmed by water contact angle analysis (WCA, contact angle of 90 ± 3.00), which increases its application and adaptability. Good antibacterial, barrier, and optical properties of the present CUR-Cot were also found. Overall, the results confirm that the usage of CUR-Cot sensor can be highly efficient, user-friendly, and non-destructive for the real-time monitoring of chicken freshness.

Delayed sowing mitigates lodging in wheat. However, the mechanism underlying the enhanced lodging resistance in wheat has yet to be fully elucidated. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of sowing date on lignin and cellulose metabolism, stem morphological characteristics, lodging resistance, and grain yield. Seeds of Tainong 18, a winter wheat variety, were sown on October 8 (normal sowing) and October 22 (late sowing) during both of the 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 growing seasons. The results showed that late sowing enhanced the lodging resistance of wheat by improving the biosynthesis and accumulation of lignin and cellulose. Under late sowing, the expression levels of key genes (TaPAL, TaCCR, TaCOMT, TaCAD, and TaCesA1, 3, 4, 7, and 8) and enzyme activities (TaPAL and TaCAD) related to lignin and cellulose biosynthesis peaked 4–12 days earlier, and except for the TaPAL, TaCCR, and TaCesA1 genes and TaPAL, in most cases they were significantly higher than under normal sowing. As a result, lignin and cellulose accumulated quickly during the stem elongation stage. The mean and maximum accumulation rates of lignin and cellulose increased, the maximum accumulation contents of lignin and cellulose were higher, and the cellulose accumulation duration was prolonged. Consequently, the lignin/cellulose ratio and lignin content were increased from 0 day and the cellulose content was increased from 11 days after jointing onward. Our main finding is that the improved biosynthesis and accumulation of lignin and cellulose were responsible for increasing the stem-filling degree, breaking strength, and lodging resistance. The major functional genes enhancing lodging resistance in wheat that are induced by delayed sowing need to be determined.