ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Innovations in biocompatible materials: exploring the potential of cellulose nanocrystals from grape pomace

Ezgi Rojda Taymaz and Mehmet Emin Uslu

Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Graduate School, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Muradiye-Manisa, Turkey

E-mail: emin.uslu@cbu.edu.tr

Received: 14 July 2023  Accepted: 25 April 2024

Abstract:

This study investigates the extraction and isolation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from grape pomace, an agricultural waste material abundant in phenolic compounds. The process involves organic isolation, alkaline bleaching at various concentrations, and acid hydrolysis to obtain pure cellulose and CNCs. Structural analyses using XRD, FTIR, and TGA reveal critical insights. Comparison with existing research on CNCs derived from other biomass sources, such as Siam weed, highlights similarities in the preparation method and structural confirmation through FTIR analysis. TGA results demonstrate the higher initial decomposition temperature of cellulose from grape pomace compared to unprocessed pomace, showcasing improved thermal stability after chemical purification. In TGA analysis because of high crystal content, 3% NaOH/H₂O₂ alkaline isolation exhibits the lowest water weight loss among all samples. Observations on crystallinity index variations in CNCs attribute these changes to alterations in alkali isolation concentration, corroborated by previous studies. The success of organic and alkaline isolations underscores the effectiveness of these methods in obtaining cellulose from grape pomace. The obtained cellulose and CNCs exhibit high potential in biomaterial applications. This study elevates the value of grape pomace from a disregarded waste product to a valuable source of cellulose for diverse applications in biomaterials, food, and bioprocess. Furthermore, the exploration of CNCs from grape pomace in natural packaging coatings and drug carrier systems opens new avenues for their utilization. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the overlooked potential of grape pomace and establishes the significance of cellulose extracted from this source, suggesting a promising future in various industries.

Keywords: Grape; Grape pomace; Cellulose; Nanocrystal; SEM

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-024-03484-5

Chemical Papers 78 (9) 5445–5455 (2024)