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One-pot isolation of nanocellulose using pelagic Sargassum spp. from the Caribbean coastline

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Abstract

There is a growing demand for biopolymers for packaging, dietary fiber, and as a food additive, where nanocellulose has become an important material for such purposes. In this study, a process utilizing successive steps in the same container was used, avoiding washing and neutralization between stages, showing nanocellulose isolation using a brown alga with a yield of 14.9%. Transparent films of pure 2D nanocellulose were prepared by the cast evaporation method, using Sargassum spp. as a raw material in a one-pot innovative process. Thermogravimetric analysis shows the presence of non-cellulosic components within the Sargassum and also the presence of nanocellulose at the end of the process. The obtained material was characterized by FTIR, NMR, and UV–Vis spectrophotometry, showing that the cellulose was successfully isolated, generating films with a transmittance of 81%. Finally, laser scanning microscope and the scanning electron microscope results corroborated the presence of cellulose nanoplatelets made of cellulose nanofibers with a thickness of ≈100 nm which explains the optical properties, such as the transmittance and constructive interference that facilitates characterization with a simple optical microscope.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge S. Vazquez-Rodriguez for the UV–Vis analysis.

Funding

This study is supported by the program PAICyT through grant IT1054-19 of the UANL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical and Electrical Engineering School, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Ave. Universidad s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 66455, San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

    L. Chávez-Guerrero

  2. Centro de Investigación en, Materiales Avanzados S.C. (Unidad Monterrey), Av. Alianza Norte 202, Parque PIIT, CP 66628, Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

    A. Toxqui-Terán

  3. Research Center for Applied Chemistry. Blvd, Enrique Reyna Hermosillo No. 140, C.P. 25294, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico

    O. Pérez-Camacho

Authors
  1. L. Chávez-Guerrero
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  2. A. Toxqui-Terán
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  3. O. Pérez-Camacho
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Correspondence to L. Chávez-Guerrero.

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Chávez-Guerrero, L., Toxqui-Terán, A. & Pérez-Camacho, O. One-pot isolation of nanocellulose using pelagic Sargassum spp. from the Caribbean coastline. J Appl Phycol 34, 637–645 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02643-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02643-5

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