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Abstract: This review addresses the structure, properties, applications and future scope of lemongrass, which constitutes an abundant source of plant material around the world. As a source of cellulose, it has been successfully used for the adsorption of metal ions and dyes and for manufacturing paper and pulp. Recently, it has shown promise in the production of composites and bio energy, as well as obtaining silica and other metal oxides. However, previous research studies have mostly concentrated on utilizing the biological activities of the constituents in therapeutic uses, food preservation, cosmetics and agriculture. Therefore, this review covers literature on all areas of current studies on lemongrass and identifies its multidimensional potential. Furthermore, this review describes the intended application of lemongrass as a source of cellulosic matter, more specifically in the materials science field.Graphical abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton gin trash (CGT), an agro-industrial waste material produced during the ginning operation of cotton fibre, is a sustainable source of material to fabricate biodegradable polymer. Earlier research conducted on the preparation of polymer from different fractions of cotton trash such as linters, burrs and seed hulls cannot be pursued, as physical separation of these individual parts is quite difficult and impractical; the linters entangling all fractions. In our current study, we have used the whole cotton gin trash to fabricate films using formic acid (FA) with different CGT/FA weight ratios (0.5/99.5, 1/99, 3/97, 5/95 and 7/93) in a one-step process. Further, we investigated the structural changes, crystallinity, thermal property, tensile characteristics, wettability and biodegradability of the CGT films. The crystallinity of the films increased with increasing proportion of formic acid. The films were thermally stable up to 200 °C without any glass transition point. The tensile strength of the films was comparable to commercial low density polyethylene. The films produced in this study were found to be biodegradable. Therefore, the overall results have well exposed the CGT as a potential sustainable source for material production. Image 10481 • Fabrication of biodegradable film from whole cotton gin trash, as a biomass waste. • Crystallinity of the film enhanced with the higher proportion of formic acid in fabrication process. • Fabricated film showed comparable tensile strength to commercial low density polyethylene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of non-degradable plastics in food packaging is alarming for the environment as they are often thrown away after short consumption. Though papers are replacing plastics in different sectors, their low water resistance limits their use in food packaging. in the past, water-resistant papers have been fabricated, but the natural degradability of the paper has been compensated. This study proposes water-resistant yet biodegradable papers from naturally abundant wastes, such as banana plant (BP) and water hyacinth (WH) and validates their properties for practical packaging uses. The resources were completely used, avoiding generation of any in-process biomass residue. This study for the first time reports the impact of ethyl cellulose (EC) coating (∼10 μm) on paper surfaces. The morphology and chemical analysis of the coated papers confirmed the consistent formation of EC layer on paper surfaces. The presence of EC significantly reduced the vapour transmission (22–30%) and moisture content (6–11%) of the papers. Water drops were stable on the coated surfaces at least for 20 min and then were wiped off leaving a dry surface. EC coating considerably increased the tensile index, i.e., 13–17% for BP and 20–35% for WH, though elongation and modulus properties remained almost unchanged. All the papers showed ultraviolet (UV)-resistance, while the coated papers were more transparent in the visible light region. Overall results confirmed the potential of the proposed EC-coated papers as a promising alternative to single-use plastics in food packaging. [Display omitted] • Water-resistant yet bio-friendly paper was made by ethyl cellulose (EC) coating. • Banana plant and water hyacinth were utilised as low-cost source of paper making. • Water drops were resisted by coated surface for at least 20 min. • Tensile index and transparency improved by coating though vapour transport reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]