A Robust Process to Produce Lignocellulosic Nanofibers from Corn Stover, Reed Canary Grass, and Industrial Hemp

Abstract

The use of agricultural waste biomass for nanocellulose production has gained interest due to its environmental and economic benefits compared to conventional bleached pulp feedstock. However, there is still a need to establish robust process technologies that can accommodate the variability of waste feedstocks and to understand the effects of feedstock characteristics on the final nanofiber properties. Here, lignocellulosic nanofibers with unique properties are produced from various waste biomass based on a simple and low-cost process using mild operating conditions. The process robustness is demonstrated by diversifying the feedstock, ranging from food crop waste (corn stover) to invasive grass species (reed canary grass) and industrial lignocellulosic residues (industrial hemp). This comprehensive study provides a thorough examination of the influence of the feedstocks’ physico-chemical characteristics on the conversion treatment, including process yield, degree of delignification, effectiveness of nanofibrillation, fiber morphology, surface charge, and density. Results show that nanofibers have been successfully produced from all feedstocks, with minor to no adjustments to process conditions. This work provides a framework for future studies to engineer nanocellulose with specific properties by taking advantage of biomass feedstocks’ intrinsic characteristics to enable versatile applications.

Eco-Innovation: Corn Stover as the Biomaterial in Packaging Designs

“…Pascoli et al, (2023) explored using agricultural waste for nanocellulose production, revealing a simple, adaptable process for creating unique nanofibers. They investigated various waste biomasses, showcasing successful nanofiber production and laid groundwork for customizable nanocellulose with diverse applications [20]. Oliveira et al, (2018) conducted tests on biopolymer coatings to validate their effectiveness in preserving the chemical and sensory properties of fruits and vegetables.…”

“…The practice of producing biomaterials is considered to be greatly beneficial in relieving environmental pressure. Nowadays, corn waste, due to its rich cellulose content, has been proven suitable for use as reinforcing fillers for bioplastics and has the potential to be used extensively in the development of composite biomaterials [20]. Incorporating waste from cornfields into the production of biomaterials allows the roots, leaves, and other waste remaining after the harvest of corn crops to enter the processing production line like primary crops, transforming from garbage to raw material.…”

Utilization of spent coffee grounds as fillers to prepare polypropylene composites for food packaging applications

“…Biomass waste has the advantages of low cost, abundant sources, and good biodegradability (Kalak, 2023; Pascoli et al, 2023). Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are biomass wastes from caffeine processing (Semaan et al, 2023), accounting for 50% of the used mass of coffee beans (Franca & Oliveira, 2019).…”