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Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals Extracted from Sugarcane Bagasse for Potential Biomedical Materials

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Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were extracted by sulfuric acid from cellulose purified via an environmentally friendly method. In this study, cellulose obtained from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) using steam-exploded and enzyme-treated pretreatment was confirmed using chemical composition analysis to have a 92.59 ± 0.12 whiteness index and 87% α-cellulose content. The morphology of extracted CNCs, characterized using atomic force microscopy images, transmission electron microscopy images and energy-dispersive x-rays, showed the diameter and length were in the ranges 9.8 ± 6.3 and 280.1 ± 73.3 nm, respectively, with an expected ratio (L/d) of 20–25 and a low concentration of sulfate (0.2%) on surface particles. Moreover, fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction results demonstrated free noncellulosic contents and an improved crystallinity for CNCs, respectively. A decrease in the thermal stability of CNCs was examined by thermogravimetric analysis, and no evidence of cytotoxicity in the CNCs was obtained. The isolated CNCs from SCB may be considered as a potential biomedical material.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) for financial support, the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry and Kasetsart University, Thailand for supplying facilities, the Scholarship Program for International Graduate Students 2014; and the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand for providing xylanase enzyme.

Funding

This study was funded by Thailand Research fund (Grant Number TRF5850012).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biotechnology of Biopolymer and Bioactive Compounds Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand

    Nga Tien Lam & Prakit Sukyai

  2. Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute (KAPI), Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand

    Rungsima Chollakup

  3. Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatujak, Bangkok, Thailand

    Wirasak Smitthipong

  4. Enzyme Technology Laboratory, Bioresources Technology Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand

    Thidarat Nimchua

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  1. Nga Tien Lam
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Correspondence to Prakit Sukyai.

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Lam, N.T., Chollakup, R., Smitthipong, W. et al. Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals Extracted from Sugarcane Bagasse for Potential Biomedical Materials. Sugar Tech 19, 539–552 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-016-0507-1

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