Seaweed-based cellulose: Applications, and future perspectives

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2021-09, Vol.267, p.118241-118241, Article 118241
• Main Authors: Baghel, Ravi S., Reddy, C.R.K., Singh, Ravindra Pal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioethanol; Cellulose; Microcrystalline cellulose; Nanocellulose; Seaweed
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118241

Cellulose is a naturally occurring organic polymer extracted mainly from lignocellulosic biomass of terrestrial origin. However, the increasing production of seaweeds for growing global market demands has developed the opportunity to use it as an additional cellulose source. This review aims to prepare comprehensive information to understand seaweed cellulose and its possible applications better. This is the first review that summarizes and discusses the cellulose from all three types (green, red, and brown) of seaweeds in various aspects such as contents, extraction strategies, and cellulose-based products. The seaweed cellulose applications and future perspectives are also discussed. Several seaweed species were found to have significant cellulose content (9–34% dry weight). The review highlights that the properties of seaweed cellulose-based products were comparable to products prepared from plant-based cellulose. Overall, this work demonstrates that cellulose could be economically extracted from phycocolloids industrial waste and selected cellulose-rich seaweed species for various commercial applications. •Cellulose yields from seaweed residues are comparable to lignocellulosic biomass.•Seaweeds and terrestrial biomass-derived nanocellulose showed similar properties.•Fewer inputs need for seaweed cellulose extraction than lignocellulosic biomass.•The extraction of cellulose as a co-product from seaweed biomass would be more economical.•Seaweed residues from hydrocolloids industries could be utilized for cellulose production.