Antibacterial properties of functionalized cellulose extracted from deproteinized soybean hulls

Abstract Soybean hulls (SBHs) are one of the main by-products soybean crushing, usually destined for animal feeding or to become a putrescible waste. In this work, we upgraded SBHs materials with antimicrobial properties. After extraction peroxidase from SBHs, an enzyme applicable in different technological sectors and naturally present hulls, exhausted biomass was subjected acid–base treatment isolate cellulose. The obtained material was, turn, functionalized 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) achieve new hybrids synthetic procedure optimized by varying solvent type (ethanol toluene) APTES amount. Overall, amino-functionalization process effective activity outstanding against both gram-positive gram-negative bacteria, reaching complete disinfection practically all cases. samples were studied means several characterization techniques, demonstrating that cellulose types had significant influence on physical–chemical features, together eco-sustainability process. particular, use greener ethanol waste (with respect commercial one) resulted higher immobilization efficiency superior thermal stability final materials. Interestingly, presence various unremoved compounds lignocellulosic SBH matrix, although small quantities, emerged as crucial factor, also terms antibacterial activity, hypothesizing role residual phytochemicals.