The Food–Materials Nexus: Next Generation Bioplastics and Advanced Materials from Agri‐Food Residues

Author: mycolabadmin
9/12/2021
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Summary

This review explores how food waste and agricultural byproducts can be transformed into useful bioplastics and advanced materials. By breaking down food residues into their component building blocks—like cellulose, pectin, and proteins—scientists can create eco-friendly plastics suitable for packaging, medical devices, and electronic applications. This approach supports a circular economy where waste becomes a valuable resource rather than an environmental burden.

Background

Food loss and waste (FLW) represents approximately one-third of global food production annually, creating significant environmental and economic impacts. Bioplastics derived from renewable resources offer potential alternatives to fossil-based plastics, currently representing only 1% of total plastic production. FLW valorization into functional bioplastics represents an emerging opportunity within the circular bioeconomy.

Objective

This review examines strategies for upcycling agri-food losses and waste into functional bioplastics and advanced materials. The objective is to synthesize current knowledge on converting FLW-derived building blocks (monomeric, polymeric, and colloidal) into multifunctional bioplastics for packaging, biomedical devices, sensors, and energy applications.

Results

The review identifies numerous FLW sources (apple pomace, banana peels, coconut fiber, spent grains, etc.) rich in valuable components including cellulose, pectin, lignin, proteins, and starch. Multiple pathways for isolating nanocelluloses, nanochitins, biogenic silica, and carbon quantum dots from FLW are documented, with yields varying significantly based on source material and extraction method.

Conclusion

FLW represents a viable and abundant feedstock for producing next-generation bioplastics and advanced materials compatible with circular bioeconomy principles. Success requires developing efficient fractionation tactics, optimizing processing techniques, and conducting holistic sustainability assessments through life cycle analysis to ensure environmental and economic viability.

Published in:Advanced Materials,
Study Type:Review,
Source: 10.1002/adma.202102520; PMID: 34510571