Understanding nonwoody cellulose extractions, treatments, and properties for biomedical applications

Cellulose is a β1-4 glucan polymer that constitutes the most abundant polysaccharide on Earth. Recent advancements in its production have provided greater control and enabled the creation of functional celluloses with enhanced physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. With the increasing interest in polysaccharide materials, attention is now focused on alternative sources, particularly those derived from nonwoody plants such as jute, sisal, cotton, flax, or hemp. Compared to wood, nonwoody plants generally possess lower lignin content, shorter growing cycles with moderate irrigation requirements, high annual crops, and substantial annual cellulose yield. The discovery of nonwoody cellulose disintegration opens new avenues for environmentally friendly approaches, naturally paving the way for the exploration of new applications for this versatile material. Despite the broad range of potential applications, cellulose has primarily been utilized for industrial purposes, with only limited interest in the biomedical sector in the early stages. Therefore, this review focuses on nonwoody cellulose extraction and pretreatments while evaluating the compositions and properties of nonwoody plants, resulting in distinctive features beneficial for biomedical applications. This review aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of nonwoody cellulose and its prospects for biomedical applications.