Granular nanocellulose derived from sugarcane bagasse and corn stover: Production, characterization, and its potential for lipid hydrolysis reduction

• Cellulose fibers with high purity were obtained from sugarcane bagasse and corn stover. • The different characteristics of granular nanocellulose particles (GNC) were demonstrated. • Granular nanocellulose reduced lipid hydrolysis via steric hindrance and physical adsorption. • GNC from enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse is suitable for further in food supplements. Nanocellulose is an emerging biomaterial with diverse applications, including its potential use in food systems. Granular nanocellulose (GNC), a unique form of nanocellulose, has limited studies in terms of its production and effects on lipid hydrolysis. This work aimed to develop GNC from sugarcane bagasse and corn stover cellulose fibers, characterize their physicochemical properties and assess their impact on lipid digestion. Cellulose fibers were extracted via alkaline treatment and bleaching, achieving a purity of 92.5–94.2 %. GNC was subsequently produced using enzymatic and oxalic acid hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis yielded 25–32 % GNC-E (295–342 nm) with good dispersibility (-49.0 mV zeta potential), moderate homogeneity (PDI ∼0.4), and low crystallinity ( CrI 29–32 %). Oxalic acid hydrolysis generated smaller GNC Ox (∼200 nm) with 21–36 % yields, lower crystallinity ( CrI 20–24 %), and high dispersibility (-36.2 to -39.7 mV). At 0.02 % (w/v), all GNC significantly inhibited lipase activity and olive oil hydrolysis (relative activity: 60 – 77 %). GNC Ox reduced lipase activity to 60 % via physical adsorption, while GNC-E from sugarcane bagasse exhibited the greatest inhibition of lipid hydrolysis (53 %) through steric hindrance. These findings suggest that GNC can be effectively produced and have potential applications as food additives to regulate lipid digestion.