Eco-friendly bio-nanocomposites: incorporation of nano-cellulose from pineapple leaf waste into tissue paper

A lot of attention has been paid to cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) due to their wide availability with a great potential to replace synthetic materials. The formation of CNCs from agricultural waste has numerous positive economic and environmental consequences. Cellulose nanocrystals were synthesized from pineapple leaf by acid hydrolysis and characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, etc. Different concentrations of cellulose nanocrystals (1%, 3%, and 5% w/w) reinforced gelatin-based bio-nano composite was coated on tissue paper. The optimized fibrogenic solution was infused with three different plant leaf extracts (Banana leaf extract, Mantharai leaf extract, and Lotus leaf extract) used as an antimicrobial agent for hygienic tissue paper. Thickness, grammage, and bulk density analysis show the efficiency of the coating formation. The coated tissue paper shows increased mechanical properties and air permeability but significantly reduced water vapour permeability. Antimicrobial efficacy showed improved activity against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC-2913), Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (ATCC-27853), and fungi Candida glabrata (NCYC 388). These results reveal the potential of cellulose materials to serve as accessible platforms for anti-infective or self-sterilizing materials against both bacteria and fungi. Graphical abstract