Deep eutectic solvent-based pretreatment for improved cellulose nanofibrils extraction from sugarcane leaf pulp as...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Fossil-based plastics dominate food packaging (40%), causing environmental pollution due to non-biodegradability.
• There is a critical need for sustainable and biodegradable alternatives in the packaging industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) from sugarcane leaf pulp as a reinforcing agent for agar-based bioplastics.
• To develop eco-friendly and high-performance bioplastics for food packaging.

Main Methods:

• Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) were extracted using deep eutectic solvents (DES) with varying choline chloride and oxalic acid dihydrate molar ratios.
• CNF underwent surface modification to improve its compatibility and performance within the bioplastic matrix.
• Agar-based bioplastics were formulated with varying concentrations (5%-25%) of DES-treated CNF.

Main Results:

• The optimal DES ratio (1:1) yielded 61.3% CNF with 86.9% cellulose content and 45.5% crystallinity.
• The modified CNF significantly enhanced the mechanical strength, water resistance, and thermal stability of the agar-based bioplastics.
• Increased concentrations of DES-treated CNF (5%-25%) led to improved bioplastic performance.

Conclusions:

• Sugarcane leaf-derived CNF is a viable reinforcing agent for creating high-quality, biodegradable agar-based bioplastics.
• The developed bioplastics offer a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics for food packaging.
• This approach effectively utilizes agricultural waste, promoting a circular economy.