Rice straw as a source of nanocellulose for sustainable food packaging materials: A Review

Asian countries, despite being the largest producers and yielding a significant proportion of world’s rice, have poor disposal facilities for harvested rice straw (stubble). Due to higher costs in their handling relative value, local farmers prefer burning stubble fields, thus creating environmental problems. Even though government has taken initiatives, no effective solution been discovered handle this large agro-waste problem efficiently. In regard, utilization develop nanocellulose (NC) products is interest. Renewability biodegradability, along with suitable mechanical thermal properties required packaging functions, are key advantages NC. The bio-nanocomposites prepared using NC other bio-based polymers also widely considered sustainable food applications due reinforcement provided by alternative petroleum-based materials. This review provides an overview process preparing straw, pulping methods, isolation produce applications. challenges future aspects covering producing eventually active materials discussed.