Sustainable Production of Carboxymethyl Cellulose: A Biopolymer Alternative from Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Leaves
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe paper "Carboxymethyl cellulose synthesis and characterization from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L) leaves" presents a novel synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose from sugarcane leaf waste. Despite not giving any innovative technique, it shows interesting results in transforming waste into a product with wide application. The text is well presented, and the discussion is consistent with the methodology and results. The manuscript is well written, but there is potential for improvement. I have forwarded some suggestions and corrections.
1 - Authors must adjust unit superscripts in several places in the text (including the abstract).
2 - In Table 6 (FTIR), modify the penultimate line's assignment to C-O stretching.
3 - I encourage authors to use equations to measure cellulose crystallinity with X-ray diffraction data. Numerous papers in the literature present equations using XRD data. This data can be used to compare microscopy images. https://doi.org/10.1186/1754-6834-3-10
4 - Show in the abstract the superior purity of CMC against commercial
5 - The conclusion should be improved by adding key results (XRD, FTIR, SEM, ICP-MS) and emphasizing the sustainability of the process
6 - Consider inserting the chemical structures to demonstrate equations 1, 2, and 3. It is important to visualize the cellulose's active site and where the structural modification reactions occur.
Author Response
Thank you sincerely for dedicating your time to reviewing this manuscript. Your insightful comments provide invaluable guidance for enhancing and refining our work. We have meticulously analyzed your feedback and have implemented corrections in accordance with your suggestions. Enclosed are detailed responses along with the corresponding revisions, which can be found in the resubmitted files.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear Authors, and Editor
The manustript focuses on converting waste into a valuable resource and demonstrates the potential of biopolymers for industrial applications. The authors reports successful production of CMC from sugarcane leaves with high purity and degree of substitution, exceeding commercial-grade standards. The study highlights the potential of this process for reducing waste, creating a valuable product, and promoting sustainable industrial practices. The manuscript seeems to be well written but there is the potential for improvement:
1. The manusript title is informative but could be more engaging and impactful. Consider adding a phrase in the manuscript title, like "for sustainable industrial applications" or "as a biopolymer alternative. Potentially shorten the title to "Sustainable CMC production from sugarcane leaves" or to other form (but highliting the potential of study results).
2. The abstract states the CMC purity exceeds commercial standards, but it could quantify how much higher it is for better impact.
3. I consider the introduction too long. While mentioning existing research adds context, it could be a little shortened to avoid overwhelming the reader. Focus more on the specific gap addressed and the novelty of using sugarcane leaves. Explain why do you investigate the influence of NaOH concentration on CMC properties from sugarcane leaves.
4. Please revise the equations 4 and 5. Do not use letter "x" as a multiplication sign and provide a percentage sign ("%") after "100".
5. The both vertical axes in a chart on Figure 1 should start from zero. The chart aims to compare values across different concentrations of NaOH, starting at zero is crucial for accurate and unbiased comparison.
6. Line 298. "range of 98.81% - 99.34" is not gramatically correct. It should be "98.81-99.34%" (assuming percentages are understood) or "from 98.81% to 99.34%".
7. Please slighty improve the conclussion section form. Quantify the potential environmental benefit (reducing waste and mitigating pollution). Highlight the novelty of using SCL. Specify the achieved purity level.
Sumarising. The manustript clearly states the problem. It highlights the issue of sugarcane leaf waste and its negative environmental impact. Introduces the solution emphasizing the potential of using these leaves for CMC production as a sustainable alternative. The authors achieved the successful isolation of cellulose and CMC production with varying degrees of substitution. It provides a potential into the diverse industrial uses of the produced CMC.
I recomend the manusriptp for publication. Good luck.
Author Response
Thank you sincerely for dedicating your time to reviewing this manuscript. Your insightful comments provide invaluable guidance for enhancing and refining our work. We have meticulously analyzed your feedback and have implemented corrections in accordance with your suggestions. Enclosed are detailed responses along with the corresponding revisions, which can be found in the resubmitted files.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsAuthors prepared CMC from Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L) leaves (SCL) which is a special agricultural by-products in Thailand. The high-value regeneration and utilization of SCL is meaningful for the sustainable development of agriculture. Therefore, this manuscript is suitable for the topic of “Sustainability” and it deserves to be published after some minor revisions. I have a few comments that I would like the authors to address before submitting a revised manuscript.
(1) Both abstract and conclusion did not give a good overview of the content of this article. For example, why were XRD and SEM not mentioned in Abstract? Why was ICP-MS only mentioned in abstract and not in conclusion?
(2) CMC can be applied in paper coating, textile sizing and printing, ceramic glazing, and oil-related uses. These applications relate to the rheological property of CMC. Thus, it is suggested that the author supplement rheological testing and analysis.
(3) In 3.5 Section, “the XRD patterns of CMCSCL synthesized with varying NaOH concentrations show reduced crystallinity”. How did the author observe this phenomenon according to Figure 3?
Author Response
Thank you sincerely for dedicating your time to reviewing this manuscript. Your insightful comments provide invaluable guidance for enhancing and refining our work. We have meticulously analyzed your feedback and have implemented corrections in accordance with your suggestions. Enclosed are detailed responses along with the corresponding revisions, which can be found in the resubmitted files.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
