About this Research Topic
Some plants contain bioactive phytochemicals with important biological properties that can be used in the prevention or treatment of certain diseases. In addition, the agro-food sector generates a large quantity of organic waste, which provides an inexpensive and renewable source of these valuable phytochemicals. As an alternative to costly extraction of these chemicals, this plant waste can be used to create bio- or nano-composites, also called green composites, in which a polymer matrix is combined with an organic fiber coming from a renewable source. These materials have appealing characteristics such as biodegradability and interesting physical and mechanical properties. The environmental footprint can be further reduced if a bio-based polymer or resin is employed. These distinctive qualities have resulted in these composites being employed in a range of industries including the building, automotive, packaging, and medical sectors.
Since waste plant material is typically susceptible to microbial deterioration, especially when wet, further exploitation can be challenging to implement on scale. The expenses associated with these materials' drying, storing, and shipping provides a further economic barrier. As a result, agro-industrial waste is frequently used for large quantity applications, such as fertilizer, feed, or for biofuels to make them economically viable. Nevertheless, the realization that these waste materials contain valuable bioactive phytochemicals, in particular phenolic compounds, has opened up better waste-to-value opportunities in various industries like food, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals. Most significantly, green composites made from these bioactive waste materials are excellent options for tissue engineering and restorative applications due to their biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and biodegradability.
This Research Topic will highlight how ecologically friendly high-performance nano-biocomposites, especially those produced from the by-products and wastes of the agro-industrial sector, are promising green alternatives for a range of applications. The low toxicity and biodegradability of these materials make them particularly attractive for the medicinal sector and a special focus is placed on this area of research.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Production and processing of green composites
• Characterization and structure-property connections of green composites
• Bio-based nanocomposites from agro-food waste
• Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable polymer matrices for use in green composites
• Biocomposites used in applications related to food safety and health benefits
• Applications of green composites in medicine (drug and vaccine delivery, anticancer and antibacterial agent, and wound healing)
• Bio-based composite materials for bioremediation and adsorption
• Industrial and commercial uses of (nano)-biocomposites
Since waste plant material is typically susceptible to microbial deterioration, especially when wet, further exploitation can be challenging to implement on scale. The expenses associated with these materials' drying, storing, and shipping provides a further economic barrier. As a result, agro-industrial waste is frequently used for large quantity applications, such as fertilizer, feed, or for biofuels to make them economically viable. Nevertheless, the realization that these waste materials contain valuable bioactive phytochemicals, in particular phenolic compounds, has opened up better waste-to-value opportunities in various industries like food, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals. Most significantly, green composites made from these bioactive waste materials are excellent options for tissue engineering and restorative applications due to their biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and biodegradability.
This Research Topic will highlight how ecologically friendly high-performance nano-biocomposites, especially those produced from the by-products and wastes of the agro-industrial sector, are promising green alternatives for a range of applications. The low toxicity and biodegradability of these materials make them particularly attractive for the medicinal sector and a special focus is placed on this area of research.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Production and processing of green composites
• Characterization and structure-property connections of green composites
• Bio-based nanocomposites from agro-food waste
• Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable polymer matrices for use in green composites
• Biocomposites used in applications related to food safety and health benefits
• Applications of green composites in medicine (drug and vaccine delivery, anticancer and antibacterial agent, and wound healing)
• Bio-based composite materials for bioremediation and adsorption
• Industrial and commercial uses of (nano)-biocomposites
Keywords: Bioremediation, Biomedicine, Green Composites, Agro-food waste, Nano-biocomposites, Phytochemicals
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
