Pickering emulsions stabilized by cellulose nanofibers obtained from agricultural and food waste

Abstract

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) have been extensively studied as natural stabilizers and emulsifiers for oil-in-water Pickering emulsions (PEs). While wood has been the primary source of CNFs worldwide, agricultural and food waste (AFW) is an attractive biomass source due to its fast growth and abundance. AFW-derived CNFs share structural similarities with wood-derived CNFs, with comparable emulsifying properties, and have attracted significant attention in food and cosmetics industries. Importantly, developing PEs stabilized by AFW-derived CNFs creates new research opportunities for waste valorization and upcycling into sustainable materials. This review summarizes the latest research of PEs stabilized by AFW-derived CNFs and cellulose nanocrystals.