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Synthesis and chemical modification of cellulosic biopolymers from non-edible biomass
Summary
Scientists turned plant materials like grasses and weeds—not food crops—into a plastic-like film that could one day replace petroleum-based plastics in packaging. This matters because reducing our reliance on conventional plastic could mean less plastic waste breaking down into microplastics that end up in our food, water, and bodies. That said, the material isn't ready for real-world use yet: it absorbs too much water and is too brittle, so more work is needed before it could safely replace the plastic wrap on your groceries.
Petroleum-based plastics have become a major contributor to environmental pollution which has caused increase in the search for sustainable bio-based materials. This study investigated the use of human non-edible biomass (NEB); Mucuna pruriens ( MP ), Tripsacum andersonii ( TA ), Brachiaria brizantha ( BB ), Chloris gayana ( CG ), Setaria sphacelate ( SS ), Lagenaria siceraria ( LS ), Alternanthera sessilis ( AS ), and Hyparrhenia rufa ( HR ) to produce modified cellulose from NEB (NEBCM). NEB underwent alkaline delignification at 3%, 6%, and 9% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), followed by chemical modification through acetylation, amination, and formaldehyde–crosslinking. NEBCM films were developed using solvent casting with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvent. Bio-chemical characterization of NEB used VanSoest approach, while the NEBCM was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), water absorption, and thermal conductivity tests. Cellulose extraction was most efficient in SS (44.00% at 3% NaOH), while CG , LS , and AS yielded less than 15%. Beyond 6% NaOH, yields declined in some species. FT-IR spectra confirmed delignification and hemicellulose removal. SEM–EDX analysis showed smooth, compact morphologies in SS and AS . Thermal conductivity ranged from 0.1744 to 0.3472 W/m·K, suggesting moderate insulation potential. Water absorption was high (96.67–100.83%), linked to residual hydroxyl groups, indicating that further hydrophobic modifications such as higher-degree acetylation are essential before packaging application. Films showed brittleness and poor flexibility due to the absence of plasticizers hence future use of plasticizers is recommended.