Synthesis of microfibrillated cellulose from solid residue of seaweed processing industry and its applications in alginate-based hydrogels for papain enzyme carriers

Abstract

The seaweed processing industry generates cellulose-rich solid residues. Cellulose, a natural polymer, exhibits advantageous physical properties when employed as a scaffold or filler in specific matrices. Enzymes used in biotechnology encounter challenges related to their performance, influenced by both the surrounding environment and the release process. The objective of this study is to convert cellulose obtained from the solid residue of seaweed processing into microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) through hydrochloric acid hydrolysis. The MFC will then be incorporated into an alginate-based hydrogel matrix to serve as a carrier for the papain enzyme. The characterization results indicate that the presence of MFC derived from the solid residue of the seaweed industry at concentrations of 0.5% and 1% significantly affects the swelling behavior of the hydrogel compared to the hydrogel without MFC. The spectrophotometric analysis revealed that the incorporation of 0.5% MFC exhibited greater enzyme immobilization capabilities in comparison to other treatments. The study’s findings support the utilization of cellulose derived from solid residues in the seaweed processing industry, highlighting its potential for diverse applications.