Recent advancements in crop straw cellulose: Sustainable extraction, modification, and active film performance enhancement, and food preservation application

Abstract

Background

The rapid development of modern agriculture has highlighted the challenge of managing crop straw. Traditional incineration, while quick, causes significant air pollution. In the context of circular economy and sustainable development, high-value utilization of agricultural waste is crucial. Recent studies show that cellulose from straw has excellent film-forming properties and biodegradability, making it a viable alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging. This reduces white pollution and creates economic value, offering a promising new pathway for utilizing straw waste.

Scope and approach

In this review, we outline technological pathways for transforming crop straw into functional packaging materials. Specifically, We evaluated the extraction effects of different extraction processes on cellulose from crop straw; explored the chemical modification methods of cellulose; studied the enhancing effect of cellulose on the performance of packaging films; and summarized the role of cellulose active packaging in food preservation, which was used for quality preservation and real-time freshness monitoring.

Key findings and conclusions

Cellulose in crop straw can be efficiently extracted by physical, chemical, and biological methods, and its properties can be enhanced by structural modification. Combined with innovative processing technologies, modified cellulose forms high-performance films/coatings that outperform conventional packaging materials in terms of mechanical strength, gas barrier efficiency, and multifunctional adaptability. However, straw cellulose still faces severe challenges in terms of technology, regulation, consumer acceptance and biodegradation, and a systematic solution is needed.