Utilization of structure-specific lignin extracted from coconut fiber via deep eutectic solvents to enhance the functional properties of PVA nanocomposite films

This study utilized deep eutectic solvents (DES) based on choline chloride/lactic acid (ChCl/LA) to deconstruct coconut fibers. The effects of DES with different temperatures and molar ratios on the yield of lignin, recovery rate of residues, structural changes in lignin and solid residues, and saccharification efficiency were investigated. The results showed that acidic DES treatment effectively deconstructed the coconut fibers, resulting in a high lignin yield of 68.51 % while enhancing the enzymatic saccharification of cellulose, reaching a glucose yield of 85.88 %. The structural characterization of lignin revealed that acidic DES primarily cleaved β-O-4 bonds, yielding coconut fiber lignin with lower molecular weight and higher phenolic hydroxyl groups. Uniform and smooth coconut fiber lignin nanoparticles (CFLNPs) with excellent antioxidant activity were finally obtained by antisolvent method. Furthermore, PVA/CFLNPs nanocomposite films were prepared based on acidic DES CFLNPs. The results of the structural and functional analysis showed that CFLNPs significantly improved the thermal stability, mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite films. In general, this work achieved efficient deconstruction of coconut fibers, providing insights for biorefining in the future, and more importantly, the potential to use the CFLNPs as a choice for active food packaging.