Recently, significant progress has been made in the comprehensive utilization of sugarcane bagasse by a team led by Senior Engineer Zhang Pingjun and Associate Researcher Jiang Liqun at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Guangdong Academy of Sciences. The findings were published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
Bagasse Lignin Nanoparticles (LNPs) in Antioxidant Applications and Their DPPH Radical Scavenging Mechanism. Courtesy of the research team.
Bagasse, a high-value by-product from the sugar manufacturing process, primarily consists of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose. During the biorefining process of bagasse, pretreated and enzymatically hydrolyzed residual solid lignin is often burned to generate thermal energy, failing to capitalize on its higher-value uses. Lignin, a significant natural biopolymer, is vital for producing green chemicals and lignin-based materials, and its sustainable utilization is crucial for developing green biobased products and additives.
Dr. Li Mingfu, the lead author from the Sugar Industry Technology Center at Guangdong Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, investigated the impact of different pretreatments and active component loading on the antioxidant activity of bagasse lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) and explored their potential applications. The findings indicate that hydrothermal pretreatment and tannic acid active component loading significantly enhance the antioxidant activity of LNPs. The study established a kinetic model for the free radical scavenging by LNPs and elucidated the mechanism by which different functional group structures in LNPs affect their antioxidant activity. By incorporating multilayer LNPs into purified cosmetic creams, the antioxidant activity of the creams was significantly improved.
This research provides a theoretical foundation for the development and utilization of biobased antioxidants from bagasse.
For more information on the study, visit: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131472
