Work

Valorization of a Residue of the Kombucha Beverage Industry Through the Production of Dehydrated Water Dispersible Cellulose Nanocrystals

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In this study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were successfully isolated through the acid hydrolysis of freeze-dried and oven-dried bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) recovered from the floating pellicle generated during Kombucha tea production. The influence of the BNC drying method and its concentration on the yield and main characteristics of the CNCs obtained were studied. Additionally, selected CNC suspensions at various pH levels were subjected to freeze-drying and oven-drying, followed by an assessment of their dispersibility in water after undergoing different mechanical treatments. Results demonstrate the potential of utilizing byproducts from the expanding Kombucha industry as an alternative cellulose source for CNC production. Furthermore, the drying method applied to the BNC and its initial concentration in the hydrolysis medium were found to significantly impact the properties of the resulting CNCs, which exhibited diverse size distributions and Z-potential values. Finally, the redispersion studies highlighted the beneficial effect of drying CNCs from neutral and alkaline dispersions, as well as the requirement of ultrasound treatments to achieve the proper dispersion of dehydrated CNC powders.

Source: Polysaccharides

DOI: 10.3390/polysaccharides6020044

Authors: Laura Giselle Alonso, Luciana Di Giorgio, María Laura Foresti, Adriana Noemi Mauri

Institutions: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Universidad de Buenos Aires

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Cellulose Research Studies

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207