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Tolisano C, Priolo D, Brienza M, Puglia D, Del Buono D. Do Lignin Nanoparticles Pave the Way for a Sustainable Nanocircular Economy? Biostimulant Effect of Nanoscaled Lignin in Tomato Plants. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1839. [PMID: 38999679 PMCID: PMC11243829 DOI: 10.3390/plants13131839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Agriculture has a significant environmental impact and is simultaneously called to major challenges, such as responding to the need to develop more sustainable cropping systems with higher productivity. In this context, the present study aimed to obtain lignin nanoparticles (LNs) from pomace, a waste product of the olive oil chain, to be used as a nanobiostimulant in tomato plants. The biostimulant effect of this biopolymer is known, but its reduction to nanometer size can emphasize this property. Tomato plants were subjected to different LN dosages (25, 50, and 100 mg L-1) by foliar application, and inductive effects on photosynthetic machinery, aerial and root biomass production, and root morphology were observed. The treated plants showed increased efficiency in catching and using light, while they reduced the fraction dissipated as heat or potentially toxic to cells for the possibility of creating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, this benefit was matched by increased pigment content and a stimulatory action on the content of nitrogen (NBI) and antioxidant substances such as flavonoids. In conclusion, the present study broadens the horizon of substances with biostimulant action by demonstrating the validity and efficacy of nanobiostimulants obtained from biological residues from the olive oil production chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Tolisano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Dario Priolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Monica Brienza
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Debora Puglia
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, Strada di Pentima 5, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Daniele Del Buono
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, Strada di Pentima 5, 05100 Terni, Italy
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Puglia D, Luzi F, Tolisano C, Rallini M, Priolo D, Brienza M, Costantino F, Torre L, Del Buono D. Cellulose Nanocrystals and Lignin Nanoparticles Extraction from Lemna minor L.: Acid Hydrolysis of Bleached and Ionic Liquid-Treated Biomass. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1395. [PMID: 38794588 PMCID: PMC11125853 DOI: 10.3390/polym16101395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Using biomass to develop and obtain environmentally friendly and industrially applicable biomaterials is increasingly attracting global interest. Herein, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were extracted from Lemna minor L., a freshwater free-floating aquatic species commonly called duckweed. To obtain CNCs and LNPs, two different procedures and biomass treatment processes based on bleaching or on the use of an ionic liquid composed of triethylammonium and sulfuric acid ([TEA][HSO4]), followed by acid hydrolysis, were carried out. Then, the effects of these treatments in terms of the thermal, morphological, and chemical properties of the CNCs and LNPs were assessed. The resulting nanostructured materials were characterized by using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the two methodologies applied resulted in both CNCs and LNPs. However, the bleaching-based treatment produced CNCs with a rod-like shape, length of 100-300 nm and width in the range of 10-30 nm, and higher purity than those obtained with ILs that were spherical in shape. In contrast, regarding lignin, IL made it possible to obtain spherical nanoparticles, as in the case of the other treatment, but they were characterized by higher purity and thermal stability. In conclusion, this research highlights the possibility of obtaining nanostructured biopolymers from an invasive aquatic species that is largely available in nature and how it is possible, by modifying experimental procedures, to obtain nanomaterials with different morphological, purity, and thermal resistance characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Puglia
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, UdR INSTM, 05100 Terni, Italy; (M.R.); (L.T.)
| | - Francesca Luzi
- Department of Science and Engineering of Matter, Environment and Urban Planning (SIMAU), Polytechnic University of Marche, UdR INSTM, 60131 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Ciro Tolisano
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (C.T.); (D.P.); (D.D.B.)
| | - Marco Rallini
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, UdR INSTM, 05100 Terni, Italy; (M.R.); (L.T.)
| | - Dario Priolo
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (C.T.); (D.P.); (D.D.B.)
| | - Monica Brienza
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy;
| | - Ferdinando Costantino
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologia, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Luigi Torre
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, UdR INSTM, 05100 Terni, Italy; (M.R.); (L.T.)
| | - Daniele Del Buono
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (C.T.); (D.P.); (D.D.B.)
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Das AK, Mitra K, Conte AJ, Sarker A, Chowdhury A, Ragauskas AJ. Lignin - A green material for antibacterial application - A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 261:129753. [PMID: 38286369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Lignin's antibacterial properties have become increasingly relevant due to the rise of microbial infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance. Lignin is capable of interacting electrostatically with bacteria and contains polyphenols that cause damage to their cell walls. These features make lignin a desirable material to exhibit antibacterial behavior. Therefore, lignin in antibacterial applications offers a novel approach to address the growing need for sustainable and effective antibacterial materials. Recent research has explored the incorporation of lignin in various biomedical applications, such as wound dressings, implants, and drug delivery systems, highlighting their potential as a sustainable alternative to synthetic antibacterial agents. Furthermore, the development of lignin-based nanomaterials with enhanced antimicrobial activity is an active area of research that holds great promise for the future. In this review, we have provided a summary of how lignin can be incorporated into different forms, such as composite and non-composite synthesis of antibacterial agents and their performances. The challenges and future considerations are also discussed in this review article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atanu Kumar Das
- Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE- 90183 Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Kangkana Mitra
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38400, France.
| | - Austin J Conte
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1512 Middle Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Asim Sarker
- Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Aysha Chowdhury
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Evolution, CBI, ESPCI, University PSL, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Arthur J Ragauskas
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1512 Middle Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Center for Renewable Carbon, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, The University of Tennessee Institution of Agriculture, 2506 Jacob Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Joint Institute for Biological Sciences, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
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Bula K, Jędrzejczak P, Ajnbacher D, Collins MN, Klapiszewski Ł. Design and characterization of functional TiO 2-lignin fillers used in rotational molded polyethylene containers. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 246:125626. [PMID: 37392911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, new TiO2-lignin hybrid systems were synthesized and characterized by various methods, including non-invasive backscattering (NIBS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis (EA) and zeta potential analysis (ZP). The weak hydrogen bonds between the components, as shown on FTIR spectra, proved the production of class I hybrid systems. TiO2-lignin systems were found to display good thermal stability and relatively good homogeneity. These newly designed hybrid materials were used to produce functional composites via rotational molding in a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) matrix at 2.5 % and 5.0 % loading by weight of the fillers, namely, TiO2, TiO2-lignin (5:1 wt./wt.), TiO2-lignin (1:1 wt./wt.), TiO2-lignin (1:5 wt./wt.) and pristine lignin, creating rectangular specimens. The mechanical properties of the specimens were measured via compression testing and by low-energy impact damage testing (the drop test). The results showed that the system containing 5.0 % by weight of TiO2-lignin (1:1 wt./wt.) had the most positive effect on the container's compression strength, while the LLDPE filled with 5.0 % by weight of TiO2-lignin (5:1 wt./wt.) demonstrated the best impact resistance among all the tested composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Bula
- Institute of Material Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Patryk Jędrzejczak
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Dawid Ajnbacher
- Institute of Material Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Maurice N Collins
- School of Engineering and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland; Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research Centre (AMBER), University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - Łukasz Klapiszewski
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland.
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