Assessing canola residue: A comprehensive analysis of composition, cellulose extraction and characterization

The increasing demand for sustainable and renewable materials has led to attention towards cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer derived from plants. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) has extensive industrial applications due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatile functional properties. In present study, canola (Brassica napus) residue was evaluated for the extraction of cellulose. The alkali treated canola residue (ATCR), bleached cellulose microfibers (BCMFs) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were prepared and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Rheological and physical characterization revealed a viscosity of 1.5 ± 0.03 cP, zeta potential of − 8.4 ± 0.4 mV indicating incipient colloidal instability and BET surface area of 42.76 m²g⁻ ¹ with mesoporous characteristics (pore diameter 3.36 nm). FTIR confirmed the presence of characteristic cellulose peaks, while SEM revealed the microcrystalline structure of the extracted MCC. XRD analysis indicated relatively high degree of crystallinity, a desirable property for various applications. TGA showed thermal stability which is critical for industrial use. Additionally, the samples were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to detect chemical impurities, which also provided information about the early onset of degradation in MCC. The results of this study demonstrate that canola residues can serve as a viable source for MCC production offering a sustainable approach for utilizing agricultural waste.