Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

EFSA Project on the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for the hazard assessment of nanofibres. Lot 1, nanocellulose oral exposure: gastrointestinal digestion, nanofibres uptake and local effects

Researchers used new approach methodologies to assess the potential hazards of nanocellulose materials when consumed orally, focusing on intestinal barrier crossing, local tissue effects, and microbiome interactions. They found that nanocellulose particles were taken up by intestinal cells and that repeated exposure increased uptake, though most effects on gut tissue were mild. The study provides safety-relevant data for the growing use of nanocellulose in food industry applications.

2023 EFSA Supporting Publications 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Market competition and risk assessment of nanofiber composite materials

This review examines the market competition and risk assessment landscape for nanocellulose composite materials, which are biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics for some applications. Replacing plastic with plant-based materials can reduce long-term microplastic accumulation in the environment.

2023 Revista Internacional de Contaminación Ambiental
Article Tier 2

Micro/nanoscaled cellulose from coffee pods do not impact HT-29 cells while improving viability and endosomal compartment after C. jejuni CDT intoxication

Researchers investigated the safety and functional properties of micro/nanoscaled cellulose derived from coffee pods, finding no significant impact on HT-29 intestinal cells while demonstrating improved mechanical and barrier properties relevant to food packaging applications.

2024 Characterization and Application of Nanomaterials 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Renewable cellulosic nanocomposites for food packaging to avoid fossil fuel plastic pollution: a review

Researchers reviewed how cellulose nanoparticles extracted from plant biomass can replace petroleum-based plastics in food packaging, finding that adding just 1–5% cellulose nanoparticles significantly improves strength, reduces oxygen and water vapor permeability, and keeps packaging biodegradable. The review positions cellulose nanocomposites as a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to fossil-fuel plastics that contribute to microplastic pollution.

2020 Environmental Chemistry Letters 222 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanocelluloses review: Preparation, biological properties, safety, and applications in the food field

This review examined nanocelluloses — including cellulose nanofibrils, nanocrystals, and bacterial cellulose — as sustainable food ingredients and packaging materials, highlighting their use as edible coatings, emulsion stabilizers, fat substitutes, and prebiotics while noting that safety assessments and regulatory frameworks still require development.

2023 Food Frontiers 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent Advances in Cellulose Nanofiber Modification and Characterization and Cellulose Nanofiber-Based Films for Eco-Friendly Active Food Packaging

This review covers advances in cellulose nanofibers, a plant-based material being developed as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic food packaging. These nanofibers are biodegradable, can be extracted from agricultural waste, and can be enhanced with antimicrobial or barrier properties. Replacing conventional plastic packaging with bio-based films like these could help reduce the microplastic contamination that enters the food supply.

2024 Foods 40 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellulose Nanofiber Platform for Electrochemical Sensor Device: Impedance Measurement Characterization and Its Application for Ethanol Gas Sensor

This review evaluates the evidence for microplastic-associated health risks in humans, synthesizing data from occupational exposure studies, in vitro toxicology, and dietary intake estimates. The authors conclude that current evidence warrants precautionary action, particularly for respiratory and gut exposure routes.

2022 Teknomekanik 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanocellulose as Sustainable Bio-Nanomaterial for Packaging and Biomedical Applications

This review examines the potential of nanocellulose, a material derived from plant fibers, as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics in packaging and biomedical applications. Researchers found that nanocellulose can provide effective moisture and gas barriers when used in paper-based packaging, reducing the need for plastic coatings. The study highlights nanocellulose as a biodegradable, renewable material that could help address both plastic waste and food preservation challenges.

2024 Scientific and Social Research 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of no observable effect level of nanoplastics on intestinal flora

A 28-day mouse study identified 0.01 mg/kg body weight per day as the maximum no-observable-effect level for nanoplastic exposure when assessing gut microbiome composition — a sensitive early indicator of harm. This is the first study to establish a clear safety threshold for low-dose nanoplastic exposure relevant to realistic human intake levels, providing a foundation for future risk assessments.

2023 Chemosphere 1 citations
Article Tier 2

In vivo toxicity assessment of microplastics in Balb/C mice : study of inhalation exposure and its inflammatory effects

Researchers examined the in vivo toxicity of inhaled microplastics in Balb/C mice, studying pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, and systemic effects following repeated inhalation exposure. The study found dose-dependent lung inflammation and evidence of particle translocation to other organs.

2024 Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo)
Article Tier 2

Nanocellulose Bio-Based Composites for Food Packaging

This review explores the use of nanocellulose-based bio-composites as sustainable alternatives to synthetic plastic packaging in the food industry. Researchers found that nanocellulose materials offer improved mechanical strength, barrier properties, and biodegradability compared to conventional plastics. The study highlights how these plant-derived materials could help reduce plastic packaging waste while maintaining food quality and safety standards.

2020 Nanomaterials 194 citations
Article Tier 2

Drying of the Natural Fibers as A Solvent-Free Way to Improve the Cellulose-Filled Polymer Composite Performance

This materials science paper describes how thermal drying of cellulose fibers improves their performance as fillers in polymer composites. Developing stronger plant-fiber composites is part of the broader effort to create biodegradable plastic alternatives that do not generate persistent microplastic pollution.

2020 Polymers 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Human Toxicity of Nano‐ and Microplastics

This review summarizes current evidence on the human toxicity of nano- and microplastics, covering ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure routes and the biological effects documented in experimental systems. The authors assess the state of the evidence and identify key gaps for risk characterization.

2024 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanocellulose-based membrane as a potential material for high performance biodegradable aerosol respirators for SARS-CoV-2 prevention: a review

Researchers reviewed nanocellulose-based membrane materials as biodegradable alternatives to synthetic face mask filters, finding that cellulose nanofibers and nanocrystals offer promising filtration efficiency, biocompatibility, and environmental safety compared to single-use plastic-based respirators.

2022 Cellulose 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanoparticles from Agricultural Wastes and Their Application in Polymer Composites

Researchers developed eco-sustainable bio-nanocomposite materials by extracting cellulose nanoparticles from agricultural waste such as rapeseed straw, demonstrating their potential as renewable, biodegradable alternatives to synthetic nanomaterials.

2023 Scholars International Journal of Chemistry and Material Sciences 2 citations
Article Tier 2

A Mini Review of Natural Cellulosic Fibers: Extraction, Treatment and Characterization Methods

This paper is not about microplastics; it reviews methods for extracting, treating, and characterizing natural plant-derived cellulose fibers as sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials in composites and textiles.

2023 Journal of Computers Mechanical and Management 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Human exposure to micro- and nanoplastic: biological effects and health consequence

This review summarized the biological effects and health consequences of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics, covering routes of uptake (ingestion, inhalation, dermal), cellular toxicity mechanisms, and systemic health risks identified in recent experimental and epidemiological studies.

2023 Reviews in Biological and Biomedical Sciences 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellulose-Based Materials as a Sustainable Alternative to Plastics: Mitigating Environmental Pollution Through Biodegradability and Reduced Toxicity

This research review shows that materials made from cellulose (the stuff in plant cell walls) could replace regular plastics and help protect human health. Unlike regular plastics that break down into tiny harmful pieces called microplastics that get into our food and water, cellulose materials naturally break down into safe, non-toxic compounds. Making the switch could reduce the plastic pollution that's contaminating our environment and potentially harming our health.

2026 Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Article Tier 2

Impacts of Biotechnologically Developed Microorganisms on Ecosystems

Mice given oral microplastic doses for 120 days showed significant damage to liver, kidney, and intestinal tissues along with pathological changes in blood and biochemical markers, while mice exposed for only 28 days showed no significant harm. This finding suggests that the risks of microplastic ingestion may be cumulative over time, and that short-term toxicology studies likely underestimate the health hazard of chronic real-world exposure.

2023 The EuroBiotech Journal 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential of Nanocellulose for Microplastic removal: Perspective and challenges

Researchers reviewed how nanocellulose — tiny fibers derived from plant cell walls — can capture and remove microplastics from water through its large surface area and adaptable chemistry, positioning it as a promising, naturally biodegradable filter material. While early results are encouraging, further research is needed to optimize how nanocellulose works at scale in real drinking water and wastewater treatment systems.

2024 Tetrahedron Green Chem 19 citations
Article Tier 2

On the mineralization of nanocellulose to produce functional hybrid materials

Researchers reviewed the mineralization of nanocellulose to create functional hybrid materials, finding that nanocellulose-based building blocks enable a new class of high-performance, sustainable materials through controlled mineral deposition.

2022 Journal of Materials Chemistry A 22 citations
Article Tier 2

No prominent toxicity of polyethylene microplastics observed in neonatal mice following intratracheal instillation to dams during gestational and neonatal period

Researchers administered polyethylene microplastics to pregnant mice via intratracheal instillation during gestation and found no prominent systemic toxicity in neonates at postnatal day 7, though the study used a limited dose range and timeframe.

2021 Toxicological Research 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Shape fidelity and structure of 3D printed high consistency nanocellulose

Researchers developed a method to 3D print high-concentration cellulose nanofibers — a wood-derived, plastic-free material — with precise shape retention, analyzing deformation during drying using 3D scanning and X-ray imaging. This advances the use of sustainable, natural materials in additive manufacturing as potential alternatives to synthetic plastics.

2019 Scientific Reports 65 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellulose Nanofibrils Dewatered with Poly(Lactic Acid) for Improved Bio-Polymer Nanocomposite Processing

This paper is not about environmental microplastics; it describes a manufacturing process for combining cellulose nanofibers with polylactic acid (a biodegradable bioplastic) to make stronger composite materials, with no relevance to plastic pollution or human health risk.

2024 Nanomaterials 2 citations