Enhancing the solubility and antimicrobial activity of cellulose through esterification modification using amino acid hydrochlorides

Improved lipase performance by covalent immobilization of Candida antarctica lipase B on amino acid modified microcrystalline cellulose as green renewable support

Development of immobilized lipase with excellent catalytic performance and low cost is the major challenge for large-scale industrial applications. In this study, green renewable microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) that was hydrophobically modified with D-alanine (Ala) or L-lysine (Lys) was used for immobilizing Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB). The improved catalytic properties were investigated by experimental and computational methods. CALB immobilized on MCC-Ala with higher hydrophobicity showed better catalytic activity than CALB@MCC-Lys because the increased flexibility of the lid region of CALB@MCC-Ala favored the formation of open conformation. Additionally, the low root mean square deviation and the high β-sheet and α-helix contents of CALB@MCC-Ala indicated that the structure became more stable, leading to a significantly enhanced stability (54.80% and 90.90% relative activity at 70 °C and pH 9.0, respectively) and good reusability (48.92% activity after 5 cycles). This study provides a promising avenue to develop immobilized lipase with high catalytic properties for industry applications.

A novel method to prepare water-soluble cellulose-based fluorescent probes for highly sensitive and selective detection and removal of Hg2+/Hg22+ ions

Improving the water solubility of natural product cellulose and using it to treat heavy metal ions is very important. In this work, cellulose-based fluorescent probes containing BODIPY fluorophore were synthesized by simple chemical method, which realized the selective recognition and removal of Hg2+/Hg22+ ions in an aqueous system. Firstly, fluorescent small molecule (BOK-NH2) bearing -NH2 group was synthesized through Knoevenagel condensation reaction between BO-NH2 and cinnamaldehyde. Secondly, via the etherification of -OH on the cellulose, substituents bearing -C ≡ CH groups with different lengths at the end are grafted on the cellulose. Finally, cellulose-based probes (P1, P2, and P3) were prepared by amino-yne click reaction. The solubility of cellulose is improved greatly, especially the cellulose derivative with branched long chains has excellent solubility in water (P3). Benefiting from the improved solubility, P3 could be processed into solutions, films, hydrogels, and powders. Upon the addition of Hg2+/Hg22+ ions, the fluorescence intensity enhanced, which are "turn-on" probes. At the same time, the probes could be utilized as efficient adsorbents for Hg2+/Hg22+ ions. The removal efficiency of P3 for Hg2+/Hg22+ is 79.7 %/82.1 %, and the adsorption capacity is 159.4 mg·g-1/164.2 mg·g-1. These cellulose-based probes are expected to be employed in the treatment of polluted environments.

Cellulose levulinate ester as a robust building block for the synthesis of fully biobased functional cellulose esters

Facile modification of cellulose or cellulosic derivatives is one of the important strategies to prepare materials with targeted properties, multifunctionality, thus extending their applications in various fields. Cellulose levulinate ester (CLE) has the structural advantage of acetyl propyl ketone moiety pendant, on which fully biobased cellulose levulinate ester derivatives (CLEDs) have been successfully designed and prepared via aldol condensation reaction of CLE with lignin-derived phenolic aldehydes catalyzed by DL-proline. The structure of CLEDs are featured by a phenolic α,β-unsaturated ketone structure, thus endowing them with good UV absorption properties, excellent antioxidant activity, fluorescence properties and satisfactory biocompatibility. The utility of this aldol reaction strategy, together with the facile tunable substitution degree of cellulose levulinate ester and the diversity of aldehydes, can provide potentially a large spectrum of structurally diverse functionalized cellulosic polymers and create new avenues to advanced polymeric architectures.