H2O2-enhanced alkaline pretreatment and separation of tobacco stems for biocellulose composite films with potential application in food preservation

Utilizing biological resources facilitates alleviating energy shortage and environmental pollution problems, but high-value utilization of these resources requires breaking the biomass structure. This study realized the clean and efficient separation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin from tobacco stems using a sustainable H 2 O 2 -enhanced alkaline pretreatment combined with acid and ethanol precipitation. The purity and thermal stability of the separated cellulose increased from 32.49% to 92.41% and 261 °C to 369 °C, respectively. Changes in the cellulose crystal form and the solubilization mechanisms of hemicellulose and lignin were elucidated. In addition, a food-preservation film was prepared from the obtained biocellulose using the solution-casting method. After adding glycerol and sorbitol as plasticizers , the tensile strength and water-contact angle (a hydrophobicity indicator) of the biocellulose composite film increased from 125 MPa to 154 MPa and from 50.48° to 73.16°, respectively. This study provides a platform for lignocellulosic biomass separation, renewable utilization, and a practical route toward functional biomaterial production.