Comparative chemical characterization of cellulose extracted from pineapple leaves, corn cobs, and bamboo

Abstract

Lignocellulosic-based materials have garnered significant attention from scholars and industries due to their widespread presence, affordability, and inherent environmental benefits. The agro-industrial processes generate large amounts of cellulosic wastes, and strategic valorization of these cellulosic by-products offers a two-fold potential of reducing ecological impacts, even as it provides economic gains [1]. The growing attention to the preservation of natural resources and the development of recycling has renewed interest in natural materials, particularly those from renewable sources. It is possible to attribute this re-emergence to increased awareness of the environment and the global shift towards environmentally friendly practices and sustainable development [2]. Lignocellulosic materials and industrial solid wastes [3] have attracted considerable academic interest. Cellulose is the most abundant polysaccharide produced by plants and microorganisms [4]. It is the main component of lignocellulosic biomass and the most widespread natural polysaccharide, playing structural roles in plants. It is renewable, biodegradable, and exhibits good thermal stability up to about 260 °C. It is produced commercially on a large scale owing to its diverse industrial applications. Chemically, cellulose (C6H10O5) n is a linear polysaccharide composed of β-D-glucose units linked by β (1→4) glycosidic bonds. It forms a structural matrix in plant cell walls, is found in wood and stems, and exists in its purest form in cotton (90%) and wood (40–50%) [5]. Its properties include biodegradability, recyclability, renewability, biocompatibility, and high mechanical strength [6].