Micronized cellulose from citrus processing waste using water and electricity only.

Along with a water-soluble fraction rich in pectin, the hydrodynamic cavitation of citrus processing waste carried out in water demonstrated directly on semi-industrial scale affords an insoluble fraction consisting of micronized cellulose of low crystallinity ("CytroCell"). Lemon and grapefruit CytroCell respectively consist of 100-500 nm wide cellulose nanorods, and of 500-1000 nm wide ramified microfibrils extending for several μm. These findings establish a technically viable route to low crystallinity micronized cellulose laying in between nano- and microcellulose, using water and electricity only.