Abstract
The production of carbohydrate nanotubes (CHNTs) using agricultural wastes is proposed in this investigation. The corncob was found to be the most productive for our purpose among the four lignocellulosic raw materials tested. CHNTs production was accomplished in two stages. Tubular cellulose (TC) was prepared from raw substrates through a delignification process, and the prepared tubes of TC were cut into nano-size carbohydrate tubes in a chemical-free process. To achieve this, cellulase was produced in our lab using agricultural residue, employing the non-pathogenic fungus Trichoderma reesei, a high cellulase producer. Analysis of the produced CHNTs proved stability, nano-dimension lengths, and increased crystallinity. The technoeconomic feasibility report showed that the production of CHNTs is cost-effective. This was supported by a process flow sheet with mass and energy balances based on laboratory experimental results.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 101460 |
| Journal | Bioresource Technology Reports |
| Volume | 22 |
| Early online date | 6 May 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 30 Jun 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the project “Research Infrastructure on Food Bioprocessing Development and Innovation Exploitation – Food Innovation RI” (MIS 5027222), which is implemented under the Action “Reinforcement of the Research and Innovation Infrastructure”, funded by the Operational Programme “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” (NSRF 2014–2020) and co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
- Corncob
- Cellulose
- Trichoderma reesei
- Cellulase
- Hydrolysis
- Carbohydrate
- nanotubes
- Carbohydrate nanotubes
