A Brief Overview on the Extraction of Cellulose from Medicinal Plants for Advanced Applications

Abstract

For over a thousand years, cellulose has been known as a polysaccharide that is readily available in nature. It is branded as a main constituent of the cell wall. Since the cell wall is produced by all plants, it is probably the amplest organic compound on Earth. The extraction of cellulose from medicinal plants is becoming a topic of interest. This is because compounds extracted from medicinal plants including cellulose are used as additives in pharmaceutical, neutraceutical, toxicology, and other chemical industries, for treating syphilis, kidney disorders, wound healing, ulcers, skin rash, gonorrhoea, and piles. Also, cellulose has been identified as useful for reinforcement and load-bearing purposes in composite materials due to its intrinsic stiffness and a high degree of crystallinity. However, the process of extracting cellulose, as well as the extent of the needed purity strongly depends on the application of the used polymers. This contribution focuses on medicinal plants as potential sources of bioactive cellulose.