Value-added Lignocellulose from Waste Biomass as a Potential Source in Fabrication of Lignin-based Composite for Multifaceted Applications

Purpose

Although the resistance to decomposition is caused by varied conformation and rigidity, lignocellulose is considered a potential feedstock for the development of substitute fuels, chemicals, fabricating pharmaceutical dressing, and food packaging components. Lignocellulose has been regarded as an essential resistance element in the exploitation of biomass, which contains carbohydrate fractions such as cellulose and hemicellulose, and non-carbohydrate fractions including lignin (Wang et al. in Carbohydr Polym 225:11523, 2019) and protein. LIG is an organic polymer found in most plant tissues that occupies the space between cellulose, pectin, and hemicellulose in cell walls.

Methods

The review investigated the use of lignocellulose and LIG in fabrication of composite using advanced technology such as three-dimensional printing and electrospun for wound healing, bone tissue engineering, and food preservations.

Results

LIG has been reported as the second most abundant natural aromatic polymers after cellulose that retain several beneficial characteristics including exceptional biocompatibility and negligible toxicity with significant carbon content. Moreover, LIG has been widely investigated due to its favorable physicochemical characteristics, such as biodegradability and mechanical properties. In addition, LIG has been known for synergizing biological efficacy such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, and prebiotic in fabricated composite form. These attributes have found applications in several biological fields including delivering actives from composite and film with food preservation.

Conclusion

This review focuses on advances in the fabrication of LIG-based composite with assessing its effectiveness in wound healing and ability to augment the shelf life of packaged food that could fulfil the potential gap in knowledge.

Lay Summary

Skin wound healing and tissue regeneration are natural processes by which the body repairs or replaces damaged or lost tissue. Biodegradable polymeric materials play a pivotal role in improving this process either by delivering the regulated release of drugs or through support in suitable fibroblast proliferation. LIG is a complex biopolymer found in the cell walls of plants, composed primarily of cellulose and hemicellulose, and LIG has shown promising applicability as a wound-healing dressing material to enhance healing process. Moreover, lignocellulose and LIG either in native or modified form with incorporation of advancement in fabrication technology significantly enrich this biological course with support in restoration of overall progression.

Graphical Abstract