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Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is an exciting class of sustainable and carbohydrate material, which has great potential applications in molecular adsorption. However, the complex preparation process and limited adsorption capacity of CNCs hinder its commercial application. In this study, we design a novel functional cellulose nanocrystals-based adsorbent by an ingenious mixing of lignin-containing cellulose nanocrystals (LCNCs), sodium alginate (SA), and calcium chloride solution. Benefiting from the sulfonate groups of lignin, carboxyl groups of SA, the maximum adsorptive capability of LCNCs/SA beads for methylene blue was found to be 1181 mg g−1, which was significantly higher than previously reported biomass-based adsorbents. More importantly, LCNCs/SA beads can be reused several times. This strategy can not only improve the adsorption performance of CNCs-based materials, but also simplify the production technology of CNCs, which greatly promote the commercial application of CNCs materials. • LCNCs/SA beads were prepared by a green and low-cost technique. • LCNCs/SA beads exhibit extremely high adsorptive capacity for methylene blue. • LCNCs/SA beads have good reusability and reproducibility. • This technology greatly promotes the commercial application of CNCs materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The MFC/CS/PPy composite is used in food packaging applications. • CS and PPy possess good antioxidant, antibacterial and barrier properties. • The MFC/CS/PPy composite displays good biodegradability. The objective of this research was to develop an effective and complete green approach for the production of composite films with enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial properties and oxygen barrier properties. This was accomplished by incorporating chitosan (CS) and polypyrrole (PPy) to microfibrillated by coasting method prepare MFC/CS/PPy film. The contact angle was used to evaluate poor water resistance, which increased from 94.1° to 122°. The contact angle of the composite film was further increased to 122° due to the chemical polymerization of pyrrole produces a layer of PPy nanoparticles on the surface of the MFC/CS composite film. The CS and PPy improved the uniformity of the surface and filled the pores, indicating that the channel has been blocked, resulting in significant reduction in oxygen transmission (32.38 cm3 (m−2·day−1). The MFC/CS/PPy film showed bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli (5.43 log CFU mL −1 reduction) The synergistic effect of proton amino (in acidic medium) in CS with the positively charged PPy chain improves the antimicrobial performance of MFC/CS/PPy. The positive charges Ions may attach to the negatively charged bacterial cell wall, thus destroying the cell wall and eventually killing the bacteria. The composite films have good thermal stability. The ability of MFC/CS/PPy composite membrane to inhibit 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH) activity increases to 54 %. This property depends on the increased activity of the hydrogen atoms. Considering a series of current properties, MFC/CS/PPy composite film was successfully used in the active packing of fresh cherry tomatoes (10 days), effectively extending shelf life. Therefore, MFC/CS/PPy composite film has the potential to be used as biodegradable packaging materials for fresh fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cellulose fibers were separated from licorice residues by pulping and bleaching. • Cellulose nanofibril from licorice residues was got by enzymatic hydrolysis method. • Effects of enzymatic pretreatment on CNF were investigated. • ETCNF showed clear nanofibrillar structure and good colloidal stability. • Chitosan nanofibril and lignin nanoparticles were incorporated into ETCNF films. It is important to make full utilization of industrial biomass residues. Pulp was prepared from licorice residues by soda-anthraquinone pulping followed by peroxyacetic acid bleaching. Cellulose nanofibril was obtained by enzymatic pretreatment followed by homogenization of the pulp (ETCNF). The effects of enzymatic pretreatment on ETCNF were investigated. Chitosan nanofibril (CHN) and lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were prepared and used for ETCNF composites, respectively. The results showed that ETCNF exhibited clear nanofibrillar structure and a highly relative colloidal stability, and a much higher crystallinity index and thermal stability compared to TEMPO-medicated oxidized one; the cellulose composite films incorporated with CHN or LNPs exhibited good thermal stability and hydrophobicity. Compared with ETCNF film, ETCNF@LNPs-5.0% film showed higher UV-blocking ability and thermal stability, but reduced light transmittance, while ETCNF@CHN-5.0% film showed improved mechanical properties and similar light transmittance. This study would expend licorice residues as potential materials for CNF and its applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]