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Valorization of Renewable Resources for the Production of Biobased Products Through the Implementation of Circular Bioeconomy Principles: Second Edition

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Resources and Sustainable Utilization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2026) | Viewed by 6369

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Erminda Tsouko

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave., 11635 Athens, Greece
Interests: biodegradable food packaging materials; oleogelation for the production of fat substitutes; biopolymers and ex situ modification to nanostructures; renewable waste and by-product streams; biomass pretreatment; biorefinery development; bioprocessing, fermentation; fatty acid esters for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

The increasing generation of waste and the reduction of primary resources are major problems faced by contemporary society and are closely interlinked with escalating raw material costs. The efficient management of resources is of outmost importance in terms of meeting sustainability targets. An alternative approach, the circular bioeconomy, would convert end-of-life goods into resources, minimizing waste and replacing production with sufficiency. The transition to a low-carbon economy must be based on the utilization of renewable resources, incorporating novel technologies and bioprocessing to provide clean energy, green chemicals, and biodegradable and safe products of high quality and functionality. Sectors of the EU bioeconomy have been reported to be worth EUR 2 trillion in annual turnover and to account for approximately 9% of the EU workforce. Contributions to this Special Issue may include empirical studies, case studies, and comparative and theoretical studies, and topics of may interest include, but are not limited to: Biomass pretreatment and waste valorization;Biorefinery development for biobased products;Sustainable production of biobased products;Biofuels towards a carbon neutral economy;Sustainable applications in food formulations, packaging, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc.;Development of bioeconomy business models;Life cycle assessment for biobased production using renewable resources;Bioinformatics;Genetic tools and approaches; Protein structures and purification; Nanostructures and polymer synthesis. Based on the aforementioned topics, this Special Issue will supplement the existing literature by providing a holistic overview regarding waste valorization and biobased production within a circular bioeconomy era. “State of the art” and “beyond the state of the art” scientific research is anticipated to update the current situation enlightening and giving directions for sustainable future development and innovation. 

Dr. Erminda Tsouko
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • biobased production
  • renewable biomass
  • life cycle assessment
  • carbon neutral bioeconomy
  • pretreatment
  • waste management
  • environmental footprint
  • biofuels
  • genetic approaches
  • transition to biocircularity

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 9859 KB  
Article
Incorporating Microalgae and Cyanobacterial Pigments into Biopolymers to Develop Attractive Bio-Based Materials for the Built Environment
by Rebecca Cronenberg, Vincent Mathel, Emilie Gauthier, Qianbin Xu, Peter Halley, Ian L. Ross, Fred Fialho Leandro Alves Teixeira and Ben Hankamer
Sustainability 2026, 18(3), 1468; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031468 - 2 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 717
Abstract
Delivering net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 requires rapid, large-scale carbon sequestration. Global photosynthesis, driven by cyanobacteria, microalgae, and higher plants, captures CO2 and constitutes the dominant natural carbon sink (biomass). The built environment represents a second major sink. Large-scale microalgal cultivation [...] Read more.
Delivering net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 requires rapid, large-scale carbon sequestration. Global photosynthesis, driven by cyanobacteria, microalgae, and higher plants, captures CO2 and constitutes the dominant natural carbon sink (biomass). The built environment represents a second major sink. Large-scale microalgal cultivation and the integration of its bioproducts into building materials offers a pathway to capture and store CO2 in built infrastructure. Colourful sustainably produced biopolymers offer one such route for carbon sequestration. Although pigments have a minor direct contribution, their coloration potential can accelerate the adoption of C-containing materials to increase architectural carbon sequestration. Here, we blended (individually and in combination) a range of structurally different pigments; the carotenoids—lutein (yellow) and astaxanthin (red), a water-soluble chlorophyll derivative—sodium copper chlorophyllin (green), and a water-soluble protein (phycocyanin, blue) into two biopolymers, polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyhexanoate and polycaprolactone with melting points of 135 °C and 60 °C, respectively. Six blending processes were evaluated for homogeneous coloured biopolymer production. UV resistance of coloured biopolymers was evaluated and enhanced by the application of a UV-protective coating. The best of the coloured biopolymer samples were integrated into a small-scale curved architectural structure to gain insight into the use and performance of the translucent materials produced for exhibition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Renewable Resources for the Production of Biobased Products Through the Implementation of Circular Bioeconomy Principles: Second Edition)
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16 pages, 8258 KB  
Article
Tailored Carbon Catalysts Derived from Biomass for Efficient Glucose-to-5-HMF Transformation
by Vesislava Toteva, Georgi Georgiev, Daniela Angelova and Marcin Godzierz
Sustainability 2026, 18(3), 1254; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031254 - 26 Jan 2026
Viewed by 459
Abstract
Aligned with circular bioeconomy principles, which aim to establish closed-loop systems that maximize resource utilization and renewal while minimizing waste, this study developed and characterized innovative catalysts derived from waste almond shells. These shells were carbonized and functionalized to create active surfaces containing [...] Read more.
Aligned with circular bioeconomy principles, which aim to establish closed-loop systems that maximize resource utilization and renewal while minimizing waste, this study developed and characterized innovative catalysts derived from waste almond shells. These shells were carbonized and functionalized to create active surfaces containing Lewis and Brønsted acid sites. Modification was achieved through treatment with ZnCl2 to introduce Lewis acid (LA) sites and with sulfuric acid to generate Brønsted acid (BA) sites. Detailed instrumental analyses enabled assessment of catalyst morphology, textural parameters, and surface functional groups. A physical mixture of the two catalysts was used to convert glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), yielding a maximum HMF yield of 76.8%. The results indicate that the collaborative action of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites, along with oxygen-containing surface groups, contributes to catalyst efficiency. These insights facilitate targeted catalyst optimization by adjusting surface texture and functional groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Renewable Resources for the Production of Biobased Products Through the Implementation of Circular Bioeconomy Principles: Second Edition)
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23 pages, 4786 KB  
Article
Potassium Fertilization as a Steering Tool for Sustainable Valorization of Cereal Straw in Circular Bioeconomy Value Chains
by Dario Iljkić, Ivana Varga, Paulina Krolo and Ivan Kraus
Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 984; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020984 - 18 Jan 2026
Viewed by 469
Abstract
Potassium (K) fertilization plays a key role in regulating stem morphology, particularly stem diameter, yet the influence of different K fertilizer formulations on stem structure and tensile strength remains insufficiently understood. Cereal straw is a key lignocellulosic by-product with growing importance in the [...] Read more.
Potassium (K) fertilization plays a key role in regulating stem morphology, particularly stem diameter, yet the influence of different K fertilizer formulations on stem structure and tensile strength remains insufficiently understood. Cereal straw is a key lignocellulosic by-product with growing importance in the circular bioeconomy. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the links between potassium nutrition, stem structure, and mechanical behavior for four cereal species: wheat, barley, rye, and oats. There were three potassium fertilization levels (0, 60, and 120 kg K ha−1) conducted in a field experiment in eastern Croatia (2021/2022). At maturity, stem morphology, macroelements (Ca, K, P, C, N), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and uniaxial tensile properties (maximum force, tensile strength, Young’s modulus) were determined. Cereal species was the dominant source of variation (p < 0.0001) for all traits, whereas the main effect of K was generally weak and significant only for stem diameter at the midpoint and N concentration, although K × species interactions were frequent. Oats and rye showed the most vigorous biomass production, whereas wheat exhibited by far the highest tensile strength (about 120 MPa) and stiffness (6.23 GPa), together with the highest ADF, while barley had the greatest NDF. Oat stems had the lowest ADF and NDF, indicating less lignified, more digestible tissues but mechanically weaker straw. Mechanical traits were tightly and positively correlated with ADF, NDF, and CN ratio, whereas P showed weak or negative associations with plant size and strength. Therefore, for targeted straw valorization, cereal species selection is paramount, with potassium fertilization playing a secondary, species-dependent role. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Renewable Resources for the Production of Biobased Products Through the Implementation of Circular Bioeconomy Principles: Second Edition)
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20 pages, 2874 KB  
Article
Improving Shrimp Preservation Quality Through Edible Coatings Based on Starch Modified with Aqueous Plant Extracts
by Magda Morawska, Joanna Brzeska, Anita Kukułowicz, Jakub Karczewski and Marta Prześniak-Welenc
Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10592; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310592 - 26 Nov 2025
Viewed by 826
Abstract
The problems of food waste and packaging waste production currently force us to search for new solutions that are safe for people and the environment. Applying edible coatings directly onto food offers a sustainable method of maintaining shrimp freshness, eliminating the need for [...] Read more.
The problems of food waste and packaging waste production currently force us to search for new solutions that are safe for people and the environment. Applying edible coatings directly onto food offers a sustainable method of maintaining shrimp freshness, eliminating the need for artificial preservatives and avoiding the high energy demands of conventional chemical or physical preservation techniques. In this study, starch materials modified with natural extracts from plants with proven health-promoting and antibacterial properties—rooibos and garlic—were obtained and tested. The structure, hydrophilicity, water vapor permeability, and thermal and mechanical properties of the obtained starch films were determined. The study further revealed that Escherichia coli was absent in all shrimp samples coated with starch-based films following seven days of refrigerated storage, in contrast to uncoated samples. For Staphylococcus aureus, coatings with rooibos extract resulted in a significant reduction in bacterial counts. Coatings with garlic extract showed a marginally reduced antibacterial effect. The effect of the coatings on the overall numbers of lactic acid bacteria and aerobic mesophilic bacteria was evaluated as well. Coatings enriched with rooibos were more effective in the early days of storage, while garlic-based coatings exhibited a less intense but more enduring antimicrobial effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Renewable Resources for the Production of Biobased Products Through the Implementation of Circular Bioeconomy Principles: Second Edition)
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20 pages, 3238 KB  
Article
Design and Evaluation of a Compact IoT-Enabled Microfarm for Decentralized Urban Agriculture Applied to the Cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushroom)
by Marlon O. A. Foffano, Ricardo C. Michel, Denise M. G. Freire and Elisa D. C. Cavalcanti
Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10332; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210332 - 18 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1614
Abstract
We developed and evaluated a compact mushroom fruiting chamber equipped with Internet of Things technologies, designed to support decentralized urban agriculture. The system was constructed from a retrofitted glass-door refrigerator and integrated with Internet-connected sensors and a custom microcontroller to monitor and regulate [...] Read more.
We developed and evaluated a compact mushroom fruiting chamber equipped with Internet of Things technologies, designed to support decentralized urban agriculture. The system was constructed from a retrofitted glass-door refrigerator and integrated with Internet-connected sensors and a custom microcontroller to monitor and regulate temperature and humidity continuously. The control unit managed key variables, including temperature and relative humidity, during the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms. Experimental trials assessed the effectiveness of the IoT-based system in maintaining optimal growth conditions by dynamically adjusting parameters tailored to the fungus’s specific physiological requirements during fruiting. The prototype successfully maintained a stable cultivation environment, achieving an average temperature of 25.0 °C (±0.7 °C) and relative humidity of 90% (±8%). Under optimized conditions (18 °C, with the cultivation block plastic cover preserved), mushroom yield reached 230 ± 2 g per block, corresponding to a biological efficiency of 44% and an estimated productivity of up to 612.04 kg m−2 per year. Furthermore, the system achieved a water footprint of only 4.39 L kg−1 of fresh mushrooms, significantly lower than that typically reported for conventional cultivation methods. These results demonstrate the feasibility of an efficient, compact, and water-saving controlled environment for mushroom cultivation, enabled by IoT-based technologies and organic residue substrates. Remote monitoring and control capabilities support urban food security, reduce transport-related emissions, optimize water use, and promote sustainable practices within a circular economy framework. The system’s adaptability suggests potential scalability to other crops and urban agricultural contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Renewable Resources for the Production of Biobased Products Through the Implementation of Circular Bioeconomy Principles: Second Edition)
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20 pages, 1707 KB  
Article
Assessing the Environmental Impacts of the Valorization of Creole-Antillean Avocado via an Extractive-Based Biorefinery in the Montes de María Region
by Stefany A. Valdez-Valdes, Lesly P. Tejeda-Benitez and Ángel D. González-Delgado
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11057; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411057 - 17 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1354
Abstract
In recent years, the environmental evaluation of biorefineries has become critical for ensuring sustainable practices in bio-based production systems. This study focuses on the application of the Waste Reduction (WAR) Algorithm to assess the environmental impacts of an Extractive-based Creole-Antillean Avocado Biorefinery located [...] Read more.
In recent years, the environmental evaluation of biorefineries has become critical for ensuring sustainable practices in bio-based production systems. This study focuses on the application of the Waste Reduction (WAR) Algorithm to assess the environmental impacts of an Extractive-based Creole-Antillean Avocado Biorefinery located in Northern Colombia, aimed at producing bio-oil, chlorophyll, and biopesticide from avocado pulp, peel, and seed, respectively. The environmental impacts were evaluated using the WAR algorithm, which quantifies the potential environmental impacts (PEI) of different process streams. The following four scenarios were developed: (1) considering only waste, (2) including waste and products, (3) including waste and energy sources, and (4) incorporating waste, products, and energy consumption. This study analyzed global impacts focusing on atmospheric and toxicological categories, with a detailed assessment of the most critical scenario. The results indicated that Scenario 4 had the highest PEI, particularly in the atmospheric and toxicological categories, driven by emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), greenhouse gases (GHGs), and the presence of heavy metals. However, the avocado biorefinery process demonstrated a net reduction in overall environmental impacts, with negative PEI generation rates across all scenarios, suggesting that the biorefinery transforms high-impact substances into products with lower global impact potential. Energy consumption emerged as a significant contributor to environmental impacts, particularly in acidification potential (AP) and Atmospheric Toxicity Potential (ATP). Using natural gas as an energy source had a relatively lower environmental impact compared to coal and liquid fuels, emphasizing the need to optimize energy use in biorefinery design to improve environmental performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Renewable Resources for the Production of Biobased Products Through the Implementation of Circular Bioeconomy Principles: Second Edition)
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