Sustainable cellulose extraction: unlocking the potential of tropical fruit peels for advanced materials

The disposal of agricultural waste, particularly from tropical fruit, presents environmental challenges but also opportunities for sustainable material recovery. This review examines the extraction and modification of cellulose, a renewable biopolymer from the peels of tropical fruits like durians and jackfruits as a solution for waste valorization. Using techniques such as pretreatment, chemical extraction, and bleaching, high-purity cellulose can be isolated and further modified into derivatives like cellulose acetate, methylcellulose, and nanocellulose. These derivatives have versatile applications across various industries, including packaging, foods, pharmaceuticals, biocomposites, and construction, where they serve as sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials. Beyond environmental benefits, this approach fosters innovation in material science and adds economic value to agricultural by-products. This review critically assesses current extraction methods, the applications of cellulose derivatives, and the environmental and economic challenges associated with scaling up. Additionally, it highlights directions for future research to enhance the sustainability and commercial viability of cellulose recovery from tropical fruit peels.Graphic abstractValorization of tropical fruit waste by converting them into cellulose and its derivatives for various applications.