Plant fibers have been studied as sources of nanocellulose due to their sustainable features. This study investigated the effects of acid hydrolysis parameters, reaction temperature, and acid concentration on nanocellulose yield from maguey (Agave cantala) fiber. Nanocellulose was produced from the fibers via the removal of non-cellulosic components through alkali treatment and bleaching, followed by strong acid hydrolysis for 45 min using sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). The temperature during acid hydrolysis was 30, 40, 50, and 60 °C, and the H₂SO₄ concentration was 40, 50, and 60 wt. % H₂SO₄. Results showed that 53.56% of raw maguey fibers were isolated as cellulose, that is, 89.45% was α-cellulose. The highest nanocellulose yield of 81.58 ± 0.36% was achieved from acid hydrolysis at 50 °C using 50 wt. % H₂SO₄, producing nanocellulose measuring 8–75 nm in diameter and 72–866 nm in length, as confirmed via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated the chemical transformation of fibers throughout the nanocellulose production process. The zeta potential analysis showed that the nanocellulose had excellent colloidal stability with a highly negative surface charge of −37.3 mV. Meanwhile, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis validated the crystallinity of nanocellulose with a crystallinity index of 74.80%. Lastly, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that the inflection point attributed to the cellulose degradation of the produced nanocellulose is 311.41 °C.

The environmental threat posed by small, single-use sachets sourced from 48% annual waste from excessive packaging has been assessed by investigating the development of nano-incorporated bioplastic films from the high-yield plant, maguey (Agave cantala). Maguey cellulose was acetylated (using 10 and 15 mL of acetic anhydride for 16, 24, and 32 h), successfully yielding a high of 81.34% maguey cellulose acetate (MCA). MCA was confirmed to contain acetate groups (C=O, C-H, C-O) via FT-IR and exhibited a hydrophobicity of a 121.897° contact angle. Bioplastic films were fabricated using MCA solution combined with 15% (w/w) commercial cellulose acetate (CCA)/MCA and reinforced with nanoclay (NC) at 0.5%, 1%, and 3% (w/w) concentrations. Nanomaterial incorporation generally improved properties; however, mechanical strength declined with increasing NC concentration, recording tensile strengths of 2.01 MPa, 0.89 MPa, and 0.78 MPa for the 0.5%, 1%, and 3% NC films, respectively. Conversely, the 3% NC film showed the best barrier property, with a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of 31.14 g/m² h. Surface morphology confirmed NC integration (nanomaterial sizes 29.74 nm to 107.3 nm), and the 0.5% NC film displayed the smooth structure ideal for sustainable packaging. The slight increase in contact angle observed between the 0% NC (60.768°) and 0.5 NC (62.904°) films suggested limitations in NC dispersion. Overall, the findings demonstrate the potential of using regenerated maguey cellulose acetate to create nano-bioplastic films with tailored mechanical and barrier properties for sustainable packaging, though optimization of NC loading and dispersion is necessary to maximize strength.