From agricultural waste to active films: Enhanced crystallinity of spent mushroom substrate-derived cellulose via deep eutectic solvent-based microwave-assisted pretreatment and its application in reinforcing CMC-based composite films

Antira Wichaphian; Phonthida Yasan; Wasu Pathom-aree; Saisamorn Lumyong; Nakarin Suwannarach; Jaturong Kumla; Supakit Chaipoot; Supawitch Hoijang; Tharnthip Krasian; Patnarin Worajittiphon; Winita Punyodom; Benjamas Cheirsilp; Guangce Wang; Sirasit Srinuanpan

Journal of Agriculture and Food Research (Apr 2025)

From agricultural waste to active films: Enhanced crystallinity of spent mushroom substrate-derived cellulose via deep eutectic solvent-based microwave-assisted pretreatment and its application in reinforcing CMC-based composite films

Antira Wichaphian,
Phonthida Yasan,
Wasu Pathom-aree,
Saisamorn Lumyong,
Nakarin Suwannarach,
Jaturong Kumla,
Supakit Chaipoot,
Supawitch Hoijang,
Tharnthip Krasian,
Patnarin Worajittiphon,
Winita Punyodom,
Benjamas Cheirsilp,
Guangce Wang,
Sirasit Srinuanpan

Affiliations

Antira Wichaphian: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellent in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Microbial Biorefinery and Biochemical Process Engineering Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Phonthida Yasan: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Wasu Pathom-aree: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellent in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Saisamorn Lumyong: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellent in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Nakarin Suwannarach: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellent in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Office of Research Administration, Office of the University, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Jaturong Kumla: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellent in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Office of Research Administration, Office of the University, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Supakit Chaipoot: Center of Excellent in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Multidisciplinary Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Supawitch Hoijang: Department of Chemistry and the Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5003, USA
Tharnthip Krasian: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Patnarin Worajittiphon: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Winita Punyodom: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Benjamas Cheirsilp: Center of Excellence in Innovative Biotechnology for Sustainable Utilization of Bioresources, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
Guangce Wang: Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Sirasit Srinuanpan: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellent in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Microbial Biorefinery and Biochemical Process Engineering Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Office of Research Administration, Office of the University, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; Corresponding author. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 20
p. 101759

Abstract

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This study demonstrates the successful valorization of spent mushroom substrate (SMS), an abundant agricultural waste, into crystalline cellulose for advanced food packaging applications. A deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based microwave-assisted pretreatment was developed to extract and enhance cellulose crystallinity from SMS. Using optimized conditions—choline chloride and zinc acetate DES at 1:1 M ratio, 1:30 w/v cellulose-to-DES ratio, 640 W microwave power, and 2.5-min hydrolysis—the process yielded pretreated cellulose (PC) with 51.66 % crystallinity index and 95.82 % recovery yield. The PC was then incorporated into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based composite films along with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and mushroom powder (MP). The resulting composite films exhibited superior mechanical properties, with CMC/PC/ZnONPs films achieving a tensile strength of 17.18 MPa and toughness of 4.72 MJ/m3. Integration of ZnONPs and MP enhanced UV-blocking capabilities while maintaining film transparency. The films demonstrated thermal stability with melting temperatures ranging from 257.5 °C to 281.83 °C. Notably, PC-containing films showed improved antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 4.59–8.57 mg/mL for 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 134.88–1389.15 mg/mL for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The composite films also exhibited strong antimicrobial properties against common foodborne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis), with inhibition zones exceeding 15 mm. This research establishes a sustainable approach to waste valorization while advancing the development of multifunctional, eco-friendly food packaging materials.

Published in Journal of Agriculture and Food Research

ISSN: 2666-1543 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Agriculture (General); Technology: Home economics: Nutrition. Foods and food supply
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-agriculture-and-food-research

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