Valorization of Agricultural Byproducts for Sustainable Biomaterials
A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Product Quality and Safety".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2026 | Viewed by 864
Editors
Interests: polymers; biopolymers; biocomposites; recycling; bio-based fertilizers; sustainable agriculture; circular economy; agro-industrial residues
Interests: antioxidant activity; phytochemicals; bioactivity; natural product chemistry; chromatography; food analysis; phytochemical analysis; antioxidants; high-performance liquid chromatography; polymer chemistry; design and modification of polymeric materials; bio- and nanocomposites; biowaste valorization; food technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Over the last decade, the intensification of agricultural production systems and the growing demand for food, fiber and bio-based products have generated high amounts of agro-industrial byproducts worldwide. These wastes represent an abundant and renewable resource that can be valorized to improve sustainability, resource efficiency and circular economy practices in agricultural systems. Recent advances in agricultural practices, recycling technologies and green processing strategies have demonstrated the potential of agricultural byproducts to be upcycled into high-value biomaterials, biocomposites and bio-based fertilizers (BBFs) that promote soil health, water retention and nutrient availability, while reducing nutrient losses and improving sustainable crop production. Some biomaterials can simultaneously combine biodegradability with enhanced mechanical and functional properties, making them well-suited for applications such as mulching films, biodegradable packaging, soil conditioners, and controlled-release fertilizers.
This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the latest research on the valorization of agricultural byproducts for sustainable biomaterials, biocomposites and fertilizer applications. We welcome original research articles and comprehensive reviews that explore how agro-industrial byproducts can be converted into biomaterials, biocomposites and BBFs that enhance soil quality, improve crop performance and promote environmental sustainability. Contributions addressing both fundamental research and field-oriented applications are encouraged, with particular emphasis on approaches that are scalable, low-impact, economically viable and directly applicable to agricultural systems.
Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following
- Valorization of agricultural byproducts for sustainable agriculture;
- Bio-based and biodegradable materials for agricultural applications;
- Agricultural residue-derived polymers, composites, and mulching materials;
- Biofertilizers, soil amendments, and nutrient delivery systems;
- Controlled-release fertilizers and functional materials for soil management;
- Effects of agro-derived materials on soil health and crop productivity;
- Circular economy strategies in agricultural waste management;
- Environmental and life cycle assessment of agro-based materials.
Dr. Domenico Zannini
Dr. Sarai Agustin-Salazar
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- agricultural byproducts
- biomaterials
- biocomposites
- bio-based fertilizers
- sustainable agriculture
- circular economy
- soil health
- controlled-release fertilizers
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