Search Results (1,040)

Agro-industrial residues are an important source of bioactive compounds with interesting properties for textile applications. Bio-based formulations were developed by incorporating cationic starch and bacterial cellulose with extracts obtained from agro-industrial residues (oregano (OS) and thyme stems (TSs), spent hops (SHs) and rice husk (RH)), through ultrasound-assisted and water bath extraction. The extract from OS obtained by the water bath showed the highest antioxidant activity (25,272 μM Trolox), and when incorporated into textiles, it also enabled a high antioxidant activity of 85%. A high antioxidant activity was also recorded in TS extract (21,063 μM TX), where the functionalized textiles achieved an antioxidant activity of 89%. However, a decrease to 20% in antioxidant activity was recorded after washing. The functionalization with RH extracts enabled the development of hydrophobic textiles, exhibiting static water contact angles above 140, which was maintained after washing. Textiles functionalized with OS and TS extracts achieved excellent UV protection (UPF > 50). Even after washing, the textiles pre-treated with the commercial fixation maintained UPF > 50. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential for valorising agro-industrial residues into functional textiles within a sustainable and circular bioeconomy approach. Full article

The sustainable valorization of spontaneous flora biomass for the recovery of high value-added phytochemicals represents a key opportunity within the circular bioeconomy, yet it remains constrained by the environmental limitations of conventional extraction solvents and the lack of data-driven optimization frameworks. In this study, Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) composed of betaine and 1,3-propanediol were designed and applied as bio-based extraction media for the recovery of bioactive metabolites from Artemisia annua L. spontaneous biomass in the context of green extraction and sustainable resource utilization. Two liquid–solid extraction techniques, namely vortex-assisted extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction, were evaluated. The influence of key process parameters, including the eutectic component molar ratio, water content, solid-to-liquid (S/L) ratio, extraction temperature, and extraction time, was systematically investigated. Results demonstrated that extraction efficiency was strongly dependent on both solvent composition and process conditions, with distinct optimum parameters for different phytochemical classes. Maximum total polyphenol content (52.08 mg GAE/mL) was achieved via ultrasound-assisted extraction at 20 °C for 15 min, using a 1:3 NADES ratio with 40% water dilution and S/L = 1:5, while the highest flavonoid yield (17.34 mg QE/mL) was obtained by vortex-assisted extraction for 45 min using a 1:6 NADES ratio under the same dilution and S/L conditions. To identify extraction conditions associated with improved process efficiency, a hybrid modeling approach combining deep neural networks with the Success-History-based Adaptive Differential Evolution (SHADE) algorithm was employed, enabling high-accuracy prediction of extraction performance across a broad parameter space. The proposed framework demonstrates the feasibility of integrating green solvent design with machine learning-driven process modeling for the efficient valorization of underutilized plant biomass, contributing to the development of resource-efficient, sustainable extraction protocols, consistent with principles of process intensification and resource-efficient extraction strategies. Full article

The valorization of agro-industrial fruit by-products as sources of natural antioxidants represents a sustainable strategy to replace synthetic additives in food preservation. This study systematically evaluated the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of extracts from thirteen underutilized Colombian fruit by-products (peels, seeds, and calyxes) and assessed their protective effect against lipid oxidation in an edible vegetable oil (EVO) model system over 15 days at 60 °C. Total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 23.1 to 2553.2 mg GAE/100 g. Orange peel (OP) and pineapple peel (PP) exhibited the highest TPC and strongest antioxidant activity, effectively inhibiting the formation of lipid hydroperoxides, hexanal, nonanal, and TBARS, and outperforming synthetic antioxidants (BHA, BHT, TBHQ) in several parameters. Multivariate analyses classified the extracts into high-efficacy, moderate-to-low efficacy, and pro-oxidant groups. HPLC-ESI-MS/MS characterization of OP and PP revealed diverse phenolic acids (gallic, caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric, vanillic, sinapic) and flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, catechin, C-glycosylated derivatives), which are related to the antioxidant properties observed. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between TPC and oxidation inhibition (r = 0.89–0.94). These findings demonstrate that Colombian fruit by-products, particularly OP and PP, are promising sustainable sources of natural antioxidants for enhancing the oxidative stability of edible vegetable oils within a circular bioeconomy framework. Full article

Lignin, an abundant and renewable aromatic biopolymer, represents a largely underutilized resource for the sustainable production of high-value chemicals. Among lignin-derived intermediates, protocatechuic acid (PCA) and catechol have emerged as key platform molecules due to their versatile applications in pharmaceuticals, polymers, and fine chemicals. This review provides a critical overview of microbial lignin valorization focusing on the microbial conversion of lignin-derived aromatics into PCA and catechol. It highlights recent advances in lignin depolymerization techniques, including thermochemical and biological approaches, and examines their influence on the generation of bioavailable aromatic feedstocks. We systematically discuss microbial biofunneling pathways that converge diverse lignin-derived compounds into PCA and catechol, emphasizing the role of central metabolic nodes and enzymatic transformations such as O-demethylation, hydroxylation, and decarboxylation. We treat protocatechuate decarboxylase (PCADC) as the central enzymatic bridge linking PCA and catechol. However, it should be noted that many reported microbial production strategies have been demonstrated using purified lignin-derived aromatic model compounds (e.g., ferulate, vanillate, p-coumarate, and PCA) rather than authentic lignin streams, highlighting the need for improved integration of lignin depolymerization and downstream bioconversion processes. Furthermore, the review explores state-of-the-art metabolic engineering strategies, including gene deletions, pathway rewiring, transporter engineering, and CRISPR-based regulation, to enhance product yields and selectivity. Despite significant progress, several challenges persist, including lignin recalcitrance, heterogeneity of depolymerization products, toxicity of intermediates, and limited enzyme efficiency. This review identifies key knowledge gaps and proposes future directions for integrating synthetic biology, adaptive evolution, and systems-level optimization to develop robust microbial cell factories. Overall, this work provides a strategic framework for advancing lignin bioconversion into PCA and catechol, contributing to the development of sustainable biorefineries and a circular bioeconomy. Full article

The Lantana genus, especially L. camara, has emerged as a potential yet underutilized lignocellulosic feedstock for various catalytic thermochemical conversion products and advanced carbon materials. This study reviews recent developments in the valorization of Lantana biomass to generate biofuels, bio-oil, syngas, and engineered biochar materials through pyrolysis, gasification, hydrothermal processing, and integrated biorefinery processes, in a critical manner. Particular focus will be on nanocomposite-modified, metal-doped biochar with catalytic elements such as ZSM-5, Fe₃O₄, TiO₂, and Ni-, Co-, and Zn-based oxides to enhance deoxygenation, catalytic cracking, tar reforming, pollutant remediation, and energy storage. Recent developments in catalyst synthesis techniques, such as impregnation, hydrothermal deposition, and in situ functionalization, are reviewed, along with characterization methods including BET, XRD, SEM/TEM, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. The review further examines the impact of pore structure, surface chemistry, the presence of redox-active centers, and catalyst stability on product selectivity, syngas quality, and upgrading bio-oil performance. The effects of biochar on microbial immobilization, anaerobic digestion, and integrated biochemical conversion are discussed in detail, excluding thermochemical effects. The challenges of catalyst deactivation, biomass heterogeneities, scalability, techno-economic viability, and decentralized biomass logistics are also discussed. In summary, the development and implementation of catalytic reaction engineering, the design of nanocomposite biochar, and circular bioeconomy strategies have great potential to facilitate the conversion of invasive Lantana biomass into renewable fuels, multifunctional carbon materials, and environmentally friendly bioeconomy products. Full article

Large volumes of orange residues generated by domestic and industrial consumption in Ecuador are commonly discarded, contributing to environmental burdens despite their high content of bioactive antioxidant compounds. This study evaluated the impact of osmotic dehydration (OD) on the physicochemical properties and functional attributes of Ecuadorian Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis) peels. A 2³ factorial design was applied, evaluating blanching time (BT: 5–10 min), sucrose concentration (SC: 50–70 °Brix), and immersion time (IT: 12–24 h). Results revealed highly significant (p < 0.01) non-linear effects of processing variables on mass transfer kinetics. Notably, milder intermediate conditions (50 °Brix, 12 h, 5 min BT) yielded significantly lower water activity (0.70 ± 0.005) and moisture content (11.83% ± 0.12%) compared to severe processing (70 °Brix, 24 h, 5 min BT), which trapped internal water (aw = 0.81 ± 0.009, moisture = 13.77% ± 0.20%), which suggested the occurrence of solute-induced surface case hardening, minimizing subsequent moisture diffusion. Processing induced an extraordinary reduction in total phenolic content (TPC) by 86% to 93% (p < 0.01) from the fresh baseline down to a range of 1.40–2.70 mg GAE/g dw, alongside a critical drop in antioxidant capacity, with post-dehydration ABTS retained at <65% and FRAP at <30% of fresh values due to cellular membrane disruption and subsequent hydrophilic leaching. Conversely, lipophilic total carotenoid content was maximized under severe configurations (10 min BT, 70 °Brix SC, 24 h IT) at 52.92 ± 2.19 µg/g dw (p < 0.01) due to protective sugar matrix encapsulation. Ultimately, these findings demonstrate that while osmotic processing involves an inherent trade-off in soluble antioxidant depletion, it establishes a precise technological process window to stabilize highly perishable citrus by-products into microstructurally stable, value-added dietary fiber matrices, providing a predictable and scalable upcycling strategy for functional ingredient development within the regional circular bioeconomy. Full article

The increasing generation of organic waste and the growing demand for sustainable solid fuels have intensified interest in hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) as a pathway for biomass valorization within circular bioeconomy systems. HTC uses subcritical water to upgrade moist biomass into hydrochar with improved fuel properties and combustion behavior. This review correlates key HTC parameters, including temperature, residence time, pH, and the nature of feedstock, with the chemical evolution and thermal reactivity of different hydrochars. Data synthesis identifies a typical ‘kinetic optimization’ range between 180 and 220 °C for conventional lignocellulosic feedstocks. Within this thermal interval, activation energy (E_a) decreases from 180–260 kJ/mol for raw biomass to 70–180 kJ/mol for hydrochars, while the high heating value (HHV) reaches up to ~28 MJ/kg. The results further demonstrate that feedstock composition strongly influences combustion reactivity and kinetic behavior under similar HTC conditions. The integration of isoconversional methods with thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG, ΔS) confirms a transition toward more ordered and thermally stable carbon structures. Additionally, Criado’s master plots indicate a shift from diffusion-controlled to reaction-controlled combustion mechanisms with increasing HTC severity. These findings provide valuable insights into the optimizing of HTC conditions for balance energy densification and combustion reactivity, offering a comprehensive understanding to guide future hydrochar-based energy applications and scale-up studies. Full article

Global food waste management necessitates circular bioeconomy solutions to transform organic residues into high-value nutrients to address nutritional demands. This study investigated the valorization of two abundant waste streams, stale bread and sunflower oil through solid state fermentation using food-grade filamentous fungi. Three strains, Neurospora intermedia, Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus oryzae were evaluated for the bioconversion of stale bread. Oil supplementation levels of 10, 20 and 30% (g/100 g dry matter) using both fresh and spent sunflower oil were tested to assess changes in proximate composition, characterizing fungal growth dynamics and mycelial development. Furthermore, modifications in fatty acid profiles and hydrolytic enzyme activities were analyzed to determine species responses to oil source and concentration. The results demonstrated that N. intermedia achieved peak protein levels of 36% (g/100 g) alongside efficient starch catabolism, while 10% fresh oil supplementation induced a significant protein increase (26%) in A. oryzae. Regarding lipid accumulation, 10% spent oil supported higher fat content in R. oryzae (19%) compared to fresh oil (17%). PUFA/SFA ratio reached its maximum in A. oryzae with the highest of 5.91 ± 0.56 under 10% fresh oil. Enzymatic analysis identified A. oryzae as the most efficient lipase producer, reaching a maximum activity of approximately 0.10 U/g at 10% spent oil supplementation. Conversely, R. oryzae lipase activity peaked at 20% supplementation (0.08 U/g), reflecting its high capacity for lipid accumulation. These findings establish a potent bioprocess for upcycling mixed food wastes into enhanced functional ingredients for sustainable food and feed systems. Full article

Due to large-scale macroalgal blooms, nutrient enrichment, and changes in ocean circulation brought on by climate change, beach-accumulated seaweed (BAS) has quickly become a global environmental and waste-governance concern. Despite degradation and contamination during beach stranding, BAS retains valuable bioactive compounds, including sulfated polysaccharides, phlorotannins, pigments, proteins, peptides, and lipids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and metabolic regulatory activities. This review critically evaluates BAS as a sustainable bioresource by integrating current knowledge on biomass composition, degradation-associated challenges, bioactive properties, valorization pathways, advanced extraction technologies, safety validation, regulatory considerations, and emerging commercialization opportunities. Attention is given to sustainable valorization pathways, ranging from composting and bioenergy production to the recovery of high-value bioactives through enzyme-assisted, green, and advanced extraction technologies. The review further discusses policy and regulatory gaps, contamination challenges, safety validation requirements, and life-cycle sustainability considerations that currently limit industrial adoption. Finally, emerging opportunities involving metabolomics, microbial bioprocessing, artificial intelligence, automation, and nanotechnology are explored as future directions for transforming BAS into a standardized and economically viable feedstock within the circular blue bioeconomy. Establishing harmonized regulatory frameworks and integrating BAS management with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 and 14 will be critical for enabling sustainable resource recovery and long-term coastal resilience. Full article

Coffee cherry pulp (CCP; cascara), a major by-product of coffee processing, has gained increasing attention as a sustainable source of phenolic compounds, dietary fiber, and other bioactive constituents with applications in food, nutraceutical, feed, and biomaterial industries. However, its utilization remains limited by compositional variability, anti-nutritional compounds, and inefficiencies in conventional processing. Controlled fermentation has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the release, transformation, and bioavailability of CCP-derived bioactive through targeted microbial biotransformation and controlled bioprocessing. This review summarizes recent advances in enzymatic pretreatment, microbial fermentation, and metabolite-directed processing, with emphasis on their effects on phenolic transformation, antioxidant activity, and functional properties. The roles of selected lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and microbial consortia in improving the nutritional, sensory, and biological characteristics of CCP-derived products are critically discussed. Potential applications of fermented CCP in functional foods and beverages, bioactive ingredients, biopolymers, and animal feed are also highlighted within the framework of an integrated circular bioeconomy. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives related to process scalability, metabolite control, regulatory approval, and AI-assisted bioprocess optimization are addressed. Full article

The present paper highlights a critical assessment of the large-scale production and accumulation of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) by-products. These have been identified as both serious environmental problems and potential renewable energy sources. Landfilling, burning in fields, and other such poor methods are common among many of the countries producing dates as ways to dispose of huge amounts of date palm by-products. The current literature has been assessed for their utilization in energy generation in the form of a circular bioeconomy with respect to the characteristics and composition of date palm seeds, leaflets, rachis and fibers. The study reveals that thermochemical conversion methods such as pyrolysis, gasification and hydrothermal processes are very efficient for the conversion of date palm residues into bio-oil, syngas and biochar. The resulting bio-oils are, however, rich in oxygen, acidic and unstable in nature and need to be upgraded using a catalytic process. Moreover, the review highlights that advanced catalytic technologies can greatly improve the quality of fuel through deoxygenation and the synthesis of hydrocarbons, resulting in the production of “drop-in” gasoline components and SAFs that have characteristics close to those of regular petroleum-based fuels. Also, artificial intelligence- and machine learning-based modeling techniques appear to offer considerable prospects in the realm of thermokinetic studies, process design, and large-scale implementation. Furthermore, the results point out two environmental advantages that accrue from the date palm valorization process, since biochar generated via thermochemical transformation can be used for seawater desalination. Lastly, the techno-economic evaluation and roadmap of future development directions are provided. Full article

As the world moves toward a circular bioeconomy, starch nanoparticles (SNPs) have emerged as key components for sustainable development. Traditional production methods have historically relied on harsh acid treatments; however, their substantial environmental footprint has catalyzed a much-needed shift toward “green” chemistry. This review explores the rise of eco-friendly synthesis strategies—including high-power ultrasound, mechanical milling, nanoprecipitation, and enzymatic hydrolysis—and explains how these “clean” methods allow us to precisely define the nanoparticles’ properties. Furthermore, the functional applications of SNPs are analyzed, focusing on their role as reinforcing agents in biodegradable packaging, natural stabilizers in food emulsions, and encapsulation matrices for targeted nutrient delivery. By connecting recent breakthroughs, this work identifies technological synergy, the integration of physical and biological methods, as the most promising route to overcome current yield and scalability limitations. Finally, a future perspective is proposed, focusing on what is needed to move these innovations from the lab to industrial applications, ensuring they are safe, effective, and truly sustainable for the global food sector. Full article

The valorization of agro-industrial residues is essential for advancing circular bioeconomy systems. This study integrated the natural colorant and edible mushroom industries by evaluating annatto (Bixa orellana) residues as substrates for Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation. Two experiments were conducted, testing field and industrial residues at three incorporation levels (32.5%, 42.5%, and 52.5%, w/w on a dry weight basis) combined with different supplementation strategies (corn bran, wheat bran, and their mixture) in a completely randomized design. Field residues showed greater yield and biological efficiency, while industrial residues exhibited higher variability. Total yield reached 38.92%, while the lowest value was 24.28%, representing an increase of up to 65% depending on residue origin and supplementation strategy. Biological efficiency exceeded 140% under optimal conditions, with gains above 70% compared to the lowest-performing treatments. Field residues also promoted a higher number of bunches and greater average bunch mass. Overall, substrate origin, supplementation, and residue proportion were decisive for fungal performance, demonstrating that annatto residues are promising low-cost substrates for scalable mushroom production within circular economy systems. Full article

The global agricultural sector faces the dual challenge of increasing productivity while mitigating environmental impacts caused by synthetic agrochemicals and massive agro-industrial waste. This review examines the transition to “Biostimulants 4.0,” a circular economy paradigm driven by the valorization of biomass residues into high-value biological inputs through nanotechnology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our analysis highlights that green extraction methods, specifically enzymatic hydrolysis, preserve bioactive integrity and reduce carbon emissions by up to 23.2 times compared to synthetic nitrogen production. Furthermore, waste-derived formulations and nanoscale smart-delivery systems dramatically enhance crop performance; for instance, chitosan nanoparticles can achieve up to a 471% increase in specific growth metrics through sustained-release pathways. To move the industry beyond empirical trial-and-error, the integration of AI-driven predictive models now achieves up to 87% accuracy in forecasting biostimulant efficacy. Finally, we contrast global regulatory frameworks and evaluate the monetization of biostimulant-driven carbon sequestration, capable of generating high-integrity credits priced up to $35 per tonne, as a critical economic pathway to accelerate commercial adoption and incentivize a resilient, decarbonized agricultural system. Full article