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Review
. 2021 Mar 20;26(6):1749.
doi: 10.3390/molecules26061749.

An Overview of the Antimicrobial Properties of Lignocellulosic Materials

Flávia C M Lobo  1   2 , Albina R Franco  1   2 , Emanuel M Fernandes  1   2 , Rui L Reis  1   2
Affiliations
Review

An Overview of the Antimicrobial Properties of Lignocellulosic Materials

Flávia C M Lobo et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Pathogenic microbes are a major source of health and environmental problems, mostly due to their easy proliferation on most surfaces. Currently, new classes of antimicrobial agents are under development to prevent microbial adhesion and biofilm formation. However, they are mostly from synthetic origin and present several disadvantages. The use of natural biopolymers such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, derived from lignocellulosic materials as antimicrobial agents has a promising potential. Lignocellulosic materials are one of the most abundant natural materials from renewable sources, and they present attractive characteristics, such as low density and biodegradability, are low-cost, high availability, and environmentally friendly. This review aims to provide new insights into the current usage and potential of lignocellulosic materials (biopolymer and fibers) as antimicrobial materials, highlighting their future application as a novel drug-free antimicrobial polymer.

Keywords: bacteria; fungi; lignocellulosic materials; natural fibers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 4
Figure 4
Chemical structure of monolignols, softwood lignin, and the type bonding formed between the monolignols during the polymerization process. Adapted from Windeisen [72] with permission. Copyright 2012, Elsevier.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Model of biofilm formation (a) and antimicrobial resistant variants (b).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structure of cellulose.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chemical structure of hemicellulose monosaccharides units. Adapted from Wang [58], with permission. Copyrigth 2017, Elsevier.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Hao [79], and Gurunathan [81], with permission. Copyright 2018 and 2017, Elsevier.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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