A Technology Platform For the Sustainable Recovery and Advanced Use of Nanostructured Cellulose from Agri-Food Residues (PANACEA Project)

摘要: The European food sector generates about 250 million tons/yr of by-products and waste, which around 10% from fruit vegetable processing, with a heavy environmental burden. The agri-food residues (AFR) contain significant fraction cellulose bioactive compounds (mainly antioxidants), which, if recovered, are high added-value material components. reduction down to nano-sized crystalline structures (nanocellulose, NC) provides versatile building blocks, self-assemble into new materials superior performances. Despite wood-derived NC is generally considered green material, its production process environmentally unfriendly large scale utilization would contribute deforestation. Therefore, more sustainable sources, such as AFR, desired. The PANACEA project, within the frame PRIN 2017 call supported by Italian Ministry University Research, proposes an approach based on recovery yield, at various degrees hierarchical organization, cascading different physical chemical processes increasing complexity. More specifically, microbial digestion exploited obtain micro-sized while preserving their bioactivity. Chemical enzymatic used isolate, purify functionalize levels design advanced functional ingredients, edible coatings, colloids, biocides flame retardants. The integrated valorization AFR addressed through (i) ad hoc pre-treatment (Tomato peels, Wheat straw, Coffee residues, Rice bran, Grape marcs, Orange peels), available all year round composition, (ii) application proprietary high-pressure homogenization (HPH) techniques micronize in water completely disintegrate cells, fractionation recover insoluble fibers, (iii) combination or P/T autohydrolysis, treatments. fabrication tunable size, crystallinity, surface properties important bridge gap between hybrids final applications pursued size-reduction NC, lysis, functionalization via amination phosphorylation, immobilization covalent bonding limonene. The characterization terms yields, purity, physicochemical, structural, properties, using multi-technique approach, associated evaluation bio-accessibility (through simulated digestive process) film-forming capacity, (iv) gas-barrier (v) rheological behavior, well (vi) energy, water, reagents consumptions. Finally, project also addresses exploitation NC-based colloids for novel applications, antimicrobial varnishes, oil structuring materials, packaging films fabrics foams flame-retardant nanocomposite films, Pickering emulsions, coatings. The main contribution advancement knowledge expected deployment greener sustainable, exploiting raw functionalities, tailored developing physical, chemical, biological procedures sculpting nanostructures, development performing coatings gas barrier packages industry, foams, textiles retardant organic pest control agriculture.