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.