Artemisia annua Stems a New Sustainable Source for Cellulosic Materials: Production and Characterization of Cellulose Microfibers and Nanocrystals

Abstract

In this study, Artemisia annua stem waste was identified, for the first time, as a potential natural source to produce cellulose microfibers (CMF), as well as cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) with unique functionalities by using various organic acids. The CMF extraction was carried out using alkali and bleaching treatments, while the CNC were isolated under acid hydrolysis by using sulfuric acid (S-CNC), phosphoric acid (P-CNC), and hydrochloric acid / citric acid mixture (C-CNC). The CMF and CNC physicochemical, structural, morphological, dimensional, and thermal properties were characterized. CMF with a yield of 53%, diameter of 5 to 30 µm and crystallinity of 57% were successfully obtained. In contrast, CNC showed a rod-like shape with an aspect ratio of 53, 95, and 64 and a crystallinity index of 84, 79, and 72% for S-CNC, P-CNC, and C-CNC, respectively. Results suggested that the type of acid significantly influenced the structure, morphology, and thermal stability of CNCs. Based on these results, Artemisia annua stem waste is a great candidate source for cellulose derivatives with excellent characteristics. Graphical Abstract

Major Phytochemical Compounds, In Vitro Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Activities of Six Aqueous and Organic Extracts of Crocus sativus L. Flower Waste

“…Agricultural waste is the most abundant green, renewable, and sustainable resource residue [1]. Its valorization in most cases is advantageous both at the economic and environmental levels.…”

“…These plants are widely grown, but their exploitation requires adapted solutions for biomass management. Among these, Artemisia annua [1], Camellia sinensis [5], Ricinus communis [6], Mentha arvensis [7], and Thymus vulgaris [8] constitute good examples. Their byproducts are the subjects of several studies focusing on extracting antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and cellulosic materials used in cosmetic, medicinal, and polymer applications.…”

Extraction of microfibrillated cellulose from elephant egesta and evaluating its reinforcing ability in pectin/alginate packaging films

“…The orderly arrangement of OH group in cellulose gives it crystalline nature. MFC obtained has a highly intense peak at 2θ = 22.79° 41 . Cellulose microfibers obtained after alkali‐bleach treatment show a small intense peak at 2θ = 22.79°, which corresponds to its amorphous nature 42 .…”

Silver nanoparticles and cellulose microfiber micro-composite from banana (Musa acuminata) waste: green synthesis, antioxidant property and antimicrobial capacity

“…Previous studies it has been determined the morphology and dimension of the AgNPs and CMF varies among different sources and process to obtained (Table 3). (Huq et al, 2022;Sengupta & Sarkar, 2022;Risite et al, 2022;Moshahary & Mishra, 2021;Sankhla et al, 2021;Bahloul et al, 2021;Jirón et al, 2020;Cecci et al, 2020;Varadavenkatesan et al, 2019;Rajinipriya et al, 2018;Ibrahim, 2015;Tibolla et al, 2018;Harini et al, 2018). -37-…”

“…Specifically, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are of great interest thanks to their antioxidant (Huq & Akter, 2021;Huq, 2020;El-Naggar et al, 2017;Aboul-Enein et al, 2016;Kokila et al, 2015) and antibacterial activities (Huq & Akter, 2021;Huq, 2020;Pawliszak et al, 2019;Jemilugba et al, 2019). On the other hand, cellulose microfibers (CMF) are also important raw material for the production of pharmaceutical drugs, textiles and food, among others (Kassab et al, 2020a;Kumar et al, 2020;Lessa et al, 2020;Kassab et al, 2019;Trache, 2018;Rajinipriya et al, 2018;Grishkewich et al, 2017), since their morphology, chemical structure and appearance can be modified depending on the extracting procedure (Risite et al, 2022;Ait Benhamou et al, 2021;Kassab et al, 2020b;Kumar et al, 2020;Arumai Selvan et al, 2018;Thomas et al, 2018;Rajinipriya et al, 2018;Trache et al, 2017;Deepa et al, 2015). In banana-producing countries, a large amount of crop waste can be used to produce silver nanoparticles and cellulose microfibers due to their high content of bioactive compounds and fiber content (Tibolla et al, 2018;Harini et al, 2018).…”