Investigation of Molecular Size Effect on the Formation of Lignin Nanoparticles by Nanoprecipitation

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This work presented lignin nanoparticle preparation with varied lignin molecular weight and concentrations and studied the influence of the molecular weight on particle size and zeta potential. It was found nanoparticle size increased by increasing lignin concentration, and there was also a small change in particle size with increasing lignin molecular weight. This work provides a guideline for nanoparticle size control and offers potential applications of such nanoparticles as cargo carriers. Several points should be addressed as followed:

1. The title is not proper. This work only covered particle preparation without any data of using these particles as delivery carriers.

2. In the abstract, Line 16: The molecular weights seem not correct, should also check Line 116-117 and correct upon.

3. Line 105. Which test result was used here? Number averaged? Intensity? or Volume averaged? Please specify. Processed data curves should be presented instead of listing numbers in Table.

Author Response

Please find attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The submitted article is focused on finding out the effect of lignin molecular size (which was extracted in this study from natural source) on the formation of nanoparticles. Introduction is well written and set the background. The objective is clearly described. The results are well described, but poorly discussed (particularly, results are not discussed against work done in this area). I will suggest, to check throughout the manuscript. Furthermore, there are too many short forms used in the manuscript so it's difficult to follow the article.

Abstract is extremely poor. Please note that the abstract is a standalone document. It should include an introduction, concise methodology, clear objective, important results (numerical) and a short conclusion. Try to avoid too many short forms and proofread before submission.

Why mixture of wheat straw and sarkanda grass was used for lignin extraction. Why wheat straw or sarkanda grass alone was not used? Please include in the manuscript.

Why 2mg/ml lignin was chosen for further fractionation? Please include in the manuscript.

Line 116, what is INS, please use full form when used first time. Please check such abbreviation throughout the manuscript.

Line 137, what is PDI, please use full form when used first time. Please check such abbreviation throughout the manuscript.

Conclusion: Conclusion reads like a summary of the article, please revise.

Line 230, First, fractionation by sequential solvent extraction was carried out to obtain fractions, which show remarkable molecular weight differences. I think some word is missing here, please check.

The keywords “material delivery carriers” in the title is misleading. No attempt has been done to study if the synthesized NPs works as a material delivery carrier.

Author Response

Please find attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

The manuscript entitled ''Effect of lignin molecular size on the formation of
nanoparticles for material delivery carriers'' deal with the evaluation of the  effects of the molecular weight on the lignin nanoparticle formation. est for publication aft

Despite it is very simple, and can be considered as an introduction work it sounds interesting and suitbale for the journal. However, several points have to be clarified.

1) The authors begin the abstract with the word Nanoparticles, referring to dimansion between 130-560 nm. These are definetely not nanoparticles. I suggest to change with particles.

2) line 60-61 : add references to support the statement

3) line 65 : add references to support the statement

4) line 153-155 : the reported references are overdate. It has been demonstrated that it is not only the dimension but also the shape of the particles which affect their fate after entry in the bloodstream (to do not mention all the other peculiarities required to prolong the circulation time..e.g. surface properties etc). Please correct the sentence and add references related to recent works

5) line 157-162 : could you please clarify this part

6) the authors mention in the title nanoparticles for material delivery carriers; as alrady mentioned size do not fall in the nanoparticles definition, and which kind of compounds can be loaded in the particles? for which application are designed? ebven if several studies has to be performed to demonstrate that the prepared particles are suitbale for drug delivery, possible application should be at least mentioned.

Author Response

Please find attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

I suggest for publication as I am satisfied from the authors corrections and changes