Nanocellulose Derived from Oil Palm Fiber for Biomedical Applications: A Systematic Review of Drug Delivery, Tissue Engineering, and Wound Healing

This journal examines the potential of oil palm fiber-based nanocellulose as a sustainable biomaterial for biomedical applications, particularly drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. Using the PRISMA-based systematic literature review method, this study filtered an initial 1,060 publications from Scopus down to 35 relevant studies from the period 2019–2026. The review results indicate that nanocellulose from palm biomass possesses structural strength, biocompatibility, high surface area, and easily modifiable chemical properties. This material is considered promising for controlled drug release, tissue scaffolds, and wound dressings, especially through surface modification and composite formation. However, further research is needed to standardize extraction methods, strengthen application testing, and enhance evaluation consistency to make palm biomaterial innovations more ready for development.