EUBCE 2024 - Isabel COELHOSO - Sustainable Applications of a Novel Cellulose-Based Polymer

Sustainable Applications of a Novel Cellulose-Based Polymer

Short Introductive summary

Recently, a novel cellulose derivative, dicarboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC), was developed and patented. It has properties that make it desirable for food and biomedical applications such as biocompatibility, nontoxicity and biodegradability as carboxymethyl cellulose. Moreover, DCMC can perform ion exchange at low pH (2.5-3.5). The potential of DCMC for wastewater treatment and protein removal was investigated through adsorption experiments using methylene blue (MB) dye and proteins (cytochrome C and lysozyme). It has also been successfully tested for white wine protein stabilization. Adsorption of MB with DCMC was coupled with commercial ultrafiltration membranes (RC and PVDF) with excellent performance. This approach may be also implemented for white wine stabilization contributing to a greener process. This work is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, namely, to improve human health and well-being (Goal 3), clean water and sanitation (Goal 6), and responsible consumption and production (Goal 12). It will use the most abundant renewable polymer resource (cellulose) available worldwide easy to dispose of after usage.

D. Gago, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Dep. Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, PORTUGAL
L. M. Ferreira, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Dep. Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, PORTUGAL
R. Chagas, Food4Sustainability-Associação para a Inovação no Alimento Sustentável, Idanha Nova, PORTUGAL
I. Coelhoso, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Dep. Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, PORTUGAL