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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2020

High Capacity Functionalized Protein Superabsorbents from an Agricultural Co-Product: A Cradle-to-Cradle Approach

Capezza, Antonio Jose; Cui, Yuxiao; Numata, Keiji; Lundman, Malin; Newson, William Roy; Olsson, Richard Tobias; Johansson, Eva; Hedenqvist, Mikael Stefan

Abstract

Synthesis of superabsorbent particles from nontoxic wheat gluten (WG) protein, as an industrial co-product, is presented. A natural molecular cross-linker named genipin (a hydrogenated glycoside) is used together with a dianhydride (ethylenediaminetetraacetic EDTAD), to enable the preparation of a material with a network structure capable of swelling up to approximate to 4000% in water and approximate to 600% in saline solution. This represents an increase in swelling by over 10 times compared to the already highly absorbing gluten reference material. The carboxylation (using EDTAD) and the cross-linking of the protein result in a hydrogel with liquid retention capacity as high as 80% of the absorbed water remaining in the WG network on extensive centrifugation, which is higher than that of commercial fossil-based superabsorbents. The results also show that more polar forms of the reacted genipin are more effectively grafted onto the protein, contributing to the swelling and liquid retention. Microscopy of the materials reveals extensive nanoporosity (300 nm), contributing to rapid capillarity-driven absorption. The use of proteins from agricultural industries for the fabrication of sustainable protein superabsorbents is herein described as an emerging avenue for the development of the next generation daily-care products with a minimal environmental impact.

Keywords

cross-linking; functionalization; proteins; superabsorbents; sustainability

Published in

Advanced Sustainable Systems
2020, volume: 4, number: 9, article number: 2000110
Publisher: WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH

Authors' information

Capezza Villa, Antonio José (Capezza Villa, Antonio José)
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
Capezza Villa, Antonio José (Capezza Villa, Antonio José)
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Breeding
Cui, Yuxiao
KTH Royal Inst Technol
Numata, Keiji
RIKEN Ctr Sustainable Resource Sci
Numata, Keiji
Kyoto Univ
Lundman, Malin
Essity Hyg and Hlth AB
Newson, William Roy (Newson, William)
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Breeding
Olsson, Richard Tobias
KTH Royal Inst Technol
Hedenqvist, Mikael Stefan
KTH Royal Inst Technol
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Breeding

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

UKÄ Subject classification

Polymer Technologies

Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202000110

URI (permanent link to this page)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/107041