Pine Cone Biorefinery: Integral Valorization of Residual Biomass into Lignocellulose Nanofibrils (LCNF)-Reinforced Composites for Packaging

Presented herein is the integral valorization of residual biomass to film composites by their fractionation into building blocks in a multicomponent cascade isolation approach. First, pine cones were subjected alkaline pretreatment, followed soda pulping. Two different hemicellulose/lignin-based fractions recovered from extractives these treatments, with yield 19%. Then, chloride- and peroxide-based bleaching methods proposed treat soda-pulped samples, obtaining two cellulose-rich chemical compositions recovery yields (32% 44%, respectively). From cellulose fractions, types nanocelluloses lignin contents obtained: nanofibrils (CNF), content 1%, lignocellulose (LCNF), 16%. The LCNF displayed lower crystallinity viscosity but greater diameter thermal stability than CNF. reinforcing capability amounts both on first fraction (PCA-L) form films was evaluated. thermomechanical, barrier, antioxidant, moisture sorption, mechanical properties assessed compared. In general, showed less sorption better thermomechanical antioxidant CNF films. These results reveal be promising agent for designing all-lignocellulose-based composite used food packaging applications.