Elucidating the Potential Biological Impact of Cellulose Nanocrystals

Camarero‐Espinosa, Sandra; Endes, Carola; Mueller, Silvana; Petri‐Fink, Alke; Rothen‐Rutishauser, Barbara; Weder, Christoph; Clift, Martin J. D.; Foster, E. Johan

doi:10.3390/fib4030021

Cited by 55 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…The biopersistence of cellulose nanofibers was also assessed in vitro using artificial lung airway lining fluid and macrophage phagolysosomal fluid, further supporting the durability of cellulosic fibers in a biological environment [68]. In light of these findings, and in further consideration of the differences between bulk and nanoscale materials, there is an imperative need to understand the potential hazard posed by nanocellulose, due to its nanoscale (1–100 nm) dimensions [53]. As a result, a number of studies have recently been conducted to shed light on this aspect.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…occupational exposure) must be understood [51, 52]. This is considered for all main portals of entry to the human body, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, systemic circulation, and arguably, the most important, the lung [53]. The latter is considered the primary route of exposure to humans for any nanoparticle released into the environment (including, and especially, an occupational scenario) [54].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A critical review of the current knowledge regarding the biological impact of nanocellulose

et al. 2016

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Several forms of nanocellulose, notably cellulose nanocrystals and nanofibrillated cellulose, exhibit attractive property matrices and are potentially useful for a large number of industrial applications. These include the paper and cardboard industry, use as reinforcing filler in polymer composites, basis for low-density foams, additive in adhesives and paints, as well as a wide variety of food, hygiene, cosmetic, and medical products. Although the commercial exploitation of nanocellulose has already commenced, little is known as to the potential biological impact of nanocellulose, particularly in its raw form. This review provides a comprehensive and critical review of the current state of knowledge of nanocellulose in this format. Overall, the data seems to suggest that when investigated under realistic doses and exposure scenarios, nanocellulose has a limited associated toxic potential, albeit certain forms of nanocellulose can be associated with more hazardous biological behavior due to their specific physical characteristics.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A critical review of the current knowledge regarding the biological impact of nanocellulose

et al. 2016

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“…Importantly, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from natural cellulose fibrils can spontaneously self‐assemble at the nanoscale to produce similar architectures capable of reflecting light in the visible spectrum . Nanocellulose‐based optical materials are nonbleaching, biocompatible, biodegradable, low‐cost, and scalable, and as such offer enormous potential to sustainably replace traditional, potentially hazardous colorants used industrially for food, cosmetics, art, textiles, sensing, and security labeling . In this Research News article, we describe the liquid crystalline behavior of cellulose nanocrystals in suspension and provide an overview of the toolbox available to control their self‐assembly into vivid, structurally colored materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Self‐Assembly of Cellulose Nanocrystals: Hierarchical Design of Visual Appearance

et al. 2017

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By controlling the interaction of biological building blocks at the nanoscale, natural photonic nanostructures have been optimized to produce intense coloration. Inspired by such biological nanostructures, the possibility to design the visual appearance of a material by guiding the hierarchical self‐assembly of its constituent components, ideally using natural materials, is an attractive route for rationally designed, sustainable manufacturing. Within the large variety of biological building blocks, cellulose nanocrystals are one of the most promising biosourced materials, primarily for their abundance, biocompatibility, and ability to readily organize into photonic structures. Here, the mechanisms underlying the formation of iridescent, vividly colored materials from colloidal liquid crystal suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals are reviewed and recent advances in structural control over the hierarchical assembly process are reported as a toolbox for the design of sophisticated optical materials.

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“…Camarero-Espinosa, Endes and Mueller et al [14] highlight cellulose nanocrystals, a new form of nanofiber receiving increased attention due to their advantageous physical and mechanical characteristics. This opinion-based article is focused towards the essential need for attaining knowledge of the biological impact of cellulose nanocrystals, with a special focus upon human health effects.…”

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confidence: 99%

Nanofibers: Friend or Foe?

Petri‐Fink

Rothen‐Rutishauser

Clift

2016

Fibers

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Since the early 1990s nanofibers, particularly those of a carbonaceous content [1] have received heightened interest due to their advantageous physico-chemical characteristics (e.g., high strength, stiffness, semi-conductor, increased thermal conductivity and one of the highest Young's modulus [2]). Such attributes have caused increased debate regarding their potential use as a fundamental component in a wide range of new, advantageous materials for consumer, industrial and medical applications [2]. Yet, concomitantly, due to their dimensions, as well as chemical and elemental structure, concerns as to the human health risk associated with exposure to nanofibers have been vehemently raised [3][4][5]. Thus, there remains an impending need to undertake research initiatives that focus specifically upon determining the real advantages posed by nanofibers, as well as underpinning their conceivable risk to human health. Both are inextricably linked, and therefore by devising a thorough understanding of the synthesis and production of nanofibers to their potential application and disposal is essential in gaining an insight as to the risk they may pose to human health.In this Special Issue of Fibers, seven publications (two original articles and four full-length reviews as well as one opinion) are dedicated towards further understanding the nanofibre paradox, notably considering (i) the advantageous structure and mechanical material properties; and (ii) what areas must be considered for future research.Initially, Yao and colleagues [6], in a paper entitled 'High strength and high modulus electrospun nanofibers', describe, through a detailed review, the ability to create nanoscale continuous fibers via the simple method of electro-spinning. This paper highlights just one of the many possibilities to synthesize nano-sized fibers that elicit high strength and high modulus characteristics, providing essential guidance for future activities in this context. Such future activities are subsequently shown by Schaer et al. [7], who describe the effectiveness of co-encapsulating different forms of nanomaterials (i.e., nanophosphors and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles) in either polystyrene microor nano-fibers using electro-spinning techniques. Through a sophisticated approach, it has been shown that such electro-spun nanomaterials can be used as promising multi-functional magnetic photoluminescent photocatalytic nano-constructs.Continuing further, the potential application of nanofibers is then touched upon by Hatanaka et al. [8], who report the ability for cellulose nanofibers, a new and exciting nanofiber type, to form hierarchical self-assembled films. In this original article, which highlights an alternative way of approaching soft nanoscience, it was reported that via an unconventional, bottom-up process, they were able to show that the hierarchically self-assembled nanofibers promoted increased, advantageous level of mechanical properties when under tensile mode.The context of the Special Issue then changes direc...

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Elucidating the Potential Biological Impact of Cellulose Nanocrystals

Cited by 55 publications

References 112 publications

A critical review of the current knowledge regarding the biological impact of nanocellulose

A critical review of the current knowledge regarding the biological impact of nanocellulose

The Self‐Assembly of Cellulose Nanocrystals: Hierarchical Design of Visual Appearance

Nanofibers: Friend or Foe?

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