Natural deep eutectic solvent for cellulose isolation from almond shell powder: A sustainable approach for by-product valorization

[EN] Cellulose was isolated from almond shell through different pretreatments: a conventional 7.5 % NaOH method and a natural deep eutectic solvent method using choline chloride:urea (2:1), both treatments carried out at 80 degrees C for 4 h. A control without pretreatment was also included. All sam...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Están, Andrea, Umaña, Monica, Simal, Susana, Ibáñez-Daudén, Adda
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)
Repositorio:RiuNet. Repositorio Institucional de la Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:riunet.upv.es:10251/231876
Acceso en línea:https://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/231876
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Cellulose
Natural deep eutectic solvent
Lignocellulosic biomass
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] Cellulose was isolated from almond shell through different pretreatments: a conventional 7.5 % NaOH method and a natural deep eutectic solvent method using choline chloride:urea (2:1), both treatments carried out at 80 degrees C for 4 h. A control without pretreatment was also included. All samples underwent subsequent bleachings with NaClO2 (1.3 %, 2 h, 75 degrees C, twice) and with NaOH 10 %:H2O2 6 %:H2O (1:1:100) (1.5 h, 60 degrees C). Pretreatment with ChCl:urea proved to be the most effective, removing up to 90.1 % of lignin and increasing cellulose content from 28.4 to 63.2 g/100 g dry matter. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed lignin removal through 1726 and 1125 cm(-)(1) bands attenuation. X-Ray analysis indicated cellulose enrichment up to a 68 % (p < 0.05) in crystallinity. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed improved thermal stability, with degradation onset and peak temperatures between 250 and 271 degrees C and 355-360 degrees C, respectively, due to reduced amorphous content. High whiteness (average 86.7 %) was observed after bleachings. SEM micrographs confirmed cellulose fibrillation accompanied with a decrease in the degree of polymerization. These results highlight the importance of pretreatment for effective delignification and cellulose isolation. ChCl:urea treatment emerged as an efficient option against conventional methods, supporting future strategies for agricultural waste valorization.