Structure modification and property improvement of plant cellulose: Based on emerging and sustainable nonthermal processing technologies

Zhuorui Han; Hong Zhu; Jun-Hu Cheng

doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111300

Structure modification and property improvement of plant cellulose: Based on emerging and sustainable nonthermal processing technologies

Food Res Int. 2022 Jun:156:111300. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111300. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Authors

Zhuorui Han¹, Hong Zhu¹, Jun-Hu Cheng²

Affiliations

¹ School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China; Academy of Contemporary Food Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, China; Engineering and Technological Research Centre of Guangdong Province on Intelligent Sensing and Process Control of Cold Chain Foods, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, China.
² School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China; Academy of Contemporary Food Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, China; Engineering and Technological Research Centre of Guangdong Province on Intelligent Sensing and Process Control of Cold Chain Foods, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, China. Electronic address: chengjunhu1229@163.com.

PMID: 35651060
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111300

Abstract

Cellulose has attracted high attention due to its advantages of abundant resources, renewable and biodegradable. Modification of natural plant cellulose has become a hot topic worldwide. Conventional chemical modification methods commonly cause great damage to the environment. The current review presents the effects of innovative, eco-friendly and sustainable nonthermal processing technologies on cellulose structure and properties. Typical techniques include high pressure processing, cold plasma, ultrasonic and irradiation treatment. Their superiorities in the modification of cellulose are highlighted, and the advantages and limitations of nonthermal processing technologies for plant cellulose modification are also discussed. Nonthermal processing technologies can improve cellulose functional properties by playing an important role in the chemical bonds of the molecular chains, crystalline regions or amorphous parts through energy or active particles generated in the process, or promoting the crosslinking and graft copolymerization of cellulose molecules. The development of modified cellulose functional materials will have wider applications.

Keywords: Cellulose modification; Nonthermal technologies; Properties; Structure.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cellulose* / chemistry
Chemical Phenomena
Plants
Plasma Gases*
Ultrasonics

Substances

Plasma Gases
Cellulose