Production of cellulose nanofiber from grape stalk to be used as reinforcing additive in babassu mesocarp flour films

• Grant number: 24/14612-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Delia Rita Tapia Blácido
• Grantee: Naiara Oliveira de Souza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

With growing concern about the impact of microplastics on the environment, it is necessary to look for alternative materials to plastics for a wide range of applications. This project will use grape stalks and babassu mesocarp flour, two agro-industrial residues, to obtain a biodegradable nanocomposite film. Thus, the project aims to produce and characterize cellulose nanofibres from grape stalks by enzymatic treatment for application as a reinforcing additive in films based on babassu mesocarp flour. To obtain cellulose nanofibers, the grape stalks will be pretreated using alkaline treatment (PT1), enzymatic treatment, using the enzyme xylanase (PT2) and both treatments (PT1+PT2 = PT3). The pre-treated grape stalks with the highest cellulose content will be chosen for subsequent production of cellulose nanofibers using the enzyme endoglucanase. Two enzyme concentrations will be evaluated (T1 and T2). The nanofibers will be characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential and microstructure using Transmission Electron Microscopy. Subsequently, the cellulose nanofiber suspensions will be added to the film solution containing 5% of babassu mesocarp flour. Two concentrations of cellulose nanofibers will be studied in order to evaluate the effect of the nanofibers on the mechanical properties, solubility, wettability and water vapor permeability of the films. It will also be evaluate the antimicrobial activity of films. A control film without the addition of nanofibers will also be produced for comparison purposes.