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Harrison TR, Gupta VK, Alam P, Perriman AW, Scarpa F, Thakur VK. From trash to treasure: Sourcing high-value, sustainable cellulosic materials from living bioreactor waste streams. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 233:123511. [PMID: 36773882 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The appreciation of how conventional and fossil-based materials could be harmful to our planet is growing, especially when considering single-use and non-biodegradable plastics manufactured from fossil fuels. Accordingly, tackling climate change and plastic waste pollution entails a more responsible approach to sourcing raw materials and the adoption of less destructive end-of-life pathways. Livestock animals, in particular ruminants, process plant matter using a suite of mechanical, chemical and biological mechanisms through the act of digestion. The manure from these "living bioreactors" is ubiquitous and offers a largely untapped source of lignocellulosic biomass for the development of bio-based and biodegradable materials. In this review, we assess recent studies made into manure-based cellulose materials in terms of their material characteristics and implications for sustainability. Despite the surprisingly diverse body of research, it is apparent that progress towards the commercialisation of manure-derived cellulose materials is hindered by a lack of truly sustainable options and robust data to assess the performance against conventional materials alternatives. Nanocellulose, a natural biopolymer, has been successfully produced by living bioreactors and is presented as a candidate for future developments. Life cycle assessments from non-wood sources are however minimal, but there are some initial indications that manure-derived nanocellulose would offer environmental benefits over traditional wood-derived sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Harrison
- Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Centre, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK; Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Vijai Kumar Gupta
- Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Centre, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK.
| | - Parvez Alam
- Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Adam Willis Perriman
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; John Curtain School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Fabrizio Scarpa
- Bristol Composites Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR, UK
| | - Vijay Kumar Thakur
- Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Centre, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK; School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India.
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Design and development of bio-carbon reinforced hetero structured biophenolics polybenzoxazine-epoxy hybrid composites for high performance applications. JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10965-020-02338-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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