Production of Cellulose\nNanoparticles from Cashew\nApple Bagasse by Sequential Enzymatic Hydrolysis with an Ultrasonic\nProcess and Its Application in Biofilm Packaging

Cellulose nanostructures obtained from lignocellulosic\nbiomass\nvia enzymatic processes may offer advantages in terms of material\nproperties and processing sustainability. Thus, in this study, cellulose\nnanoparticles with a spherical morphology were produced through the\nenzymatic hydrolysis of cashew apple bagasse (CAB). CAB was previously\nsubjected to alkaline and acid-alkali pretreatment, and the pretreated\nsolids were labeled as CAB-PTA and CAB-PT-HA, respectively. The enzymatic\nhydrolysis was carried out using two different enzymatic loadings\n(7.5 and 12 FPU/g<sub>cellulose</sub>) of the Trichoderma\nreesei cellulase complex, and the formation of nanostructures\noccurred only at 7.5 FPU/g<sub>cellulose</sub>. The results indicated\nthe production of nanocellulose using only CAB-PT-HA as the precursor,\nobtaining nanosphere structures with a yield of 65.1 ± 2.9% and\na diameter range of 57.26–220.66 nm. The nanocellulose showed\ngood thermal and colloidal stability and was subsequently used for\nbiofilm production. Biofilms were prepared using different percentages\nof nanocellulose (5 and 7% w/v), and they showed a greater water retention\ncapacity and higher biodegradability compared to the control film,\nindicating potential for application in food packaging and cosmetic\nmasks. Thus, it highlights the potential for developing new biodegradable\nplastics incorporated with nanocellulose obtained from CAB through\na more sustainable process.