celulázy

Cellulose is a natural polysaccharide that forms the primary structural component of plant cell walls. It is a linear polymer of β-D-glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, resulting in long, unbranched chains that aggregate into crystalline microfibrils through extensive hydrogen bonding. In native form, cellulose exists mainly as cellulose I, with allomorphs Iα and Iβ; after chemical or physical treatment, it can be converted to cellulose II.

Cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth and is widely distributed in plants, algae, and some bacteria. It is the main constituent of wood and cotton and accounts for a large share of plant dry weight. It is insoluble in water and resistant to most chemicals, which contributes to its structural role in walls. Humans do not produce the enzymes needed to break down cellulose, so it is not digested as a source of calories, but it can act as dietary fiber and influence gut health.

Industrial production and applications involve extraction from wood pulp or cotton linters. Pulping and bleaching yield cellulose fibers for paper and textiles, while mechanical or chemical pulps can produce microcrystalline cellulose and other forms used as fillers, binders, or thickeners. Regenerated cellulose (such as viscose, modal, and lyocell) is used in textiles, while cellulose derivatives (methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose) serve as excipients, thickeners, and stabilizers. Nanocellulose forms (CNF and CNC) are explored for advanced materials and composites.

Environmental aspects include its renewable and biodegradable nature, balanced by the energy and chemical inputs required for processing. Sustainable forestry and lifecycle assessments are important, as is exploring waste streams and agricultural residues as cellulose sources.