Turning trash to treasure: Rice straw derived biopolymer for sustainable applications

Title : Turning trash to treasure: Rice straw derived biopolymer for sustainable applications

Abstract:

In the present study, cellulose biopolymer was isolated from rice straw by alkali bleaching pretreatment, and converted into carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) biopolymer by two step carboxymethylation reaction, i.e. alkalization followed by etherification. The synthesis conditions for this chemical modification, such as the solvent medium, NaOH and sodium monochloroacetate concentration were optimized to obtain CMC with high degree of substitution. The infrared spectroscopic studies of the synthesized CMC clearly showed an increased intensity of C=O bond at 1600 cm-1, which is an indication of successful carboxymethylation of –OH bonds of anhydroglucose units. The obtained CMC biopolymer was further reinforced with bentonite clay particles. The composite matrix showed good sorption capacity for methylene blue dye contaminant in aqueous media, showing prospective application in water remediation. Furthermore, the formed biopolymer was tested for agricultural applications as a slow release fertilizer. Therefore, this study shows that the lignocellulosic agrowaste is a rich source of cellulose, and its derivative such as the CMC possesses the potential to realize the waste to wealth sustainability goal.
 

Biography:

Dr. Prabhpreet Kaur is a researcher specialising in biomass valorisation, nanocellulose, and bio-based functional materials. She earned her PhD in Biology and Chemistry from Deakin University, Australia, where she investigated the extraction of cellulose from agricultural residues, particularly rice straw, and the development of cellulose-based hydrogels for agricultural and biomedical applications. Recipient of the 2023 Rex Williamson Prize at Deakin University, awarded to the highest-achieving PhD student in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment whose research includes a significant component of chemistry. Her research experience also includes microbial enzyme production, lignocellulosic biomass conversion, and biofuel-related applications. Her broader research interests include sustainable biopolymer development, biomass conversion, and the environmental implications of bio-based technologies, with an emphasis on translating laboratory research into practical applications.