Genipap Oil as a Natural Cross-Linker for Biodegradable and Low-Ecotoxicity Porous Absorbents via Reactive Extrusion

Abstract

Proteins derived from agroindustrial coproducts and a natural cross-linking agent (genipap oil containing genipin) were used to develop porous materials by reactive extrusion for replacing fossil-based absorbents. Incorporating genipap oil allowed the production of lightweight structures with high saline uptake (above 1000%) and competing retention capacity despite their porous nature. The mechanical response of the genipap-cross-linked materials was superior to that of the noncross-linked ones and comparable to those cross-linked using commercial genipin. The extruded products were hemocompatible and soil-biodegradable in less than 6 weeks. The compounds generated by the degradation process were not found to be toxic to the soil, showing a high bioassimilation capacity by promoting grass growth. The results demonstrate the potential of biopolymers and new green cross-linkers to produce fully renewable-based superabsorbents in hygiene products with low ecotoxicity. The study further promotes the production of these absorbents using low-cost proteins and continuous processing such as reactive extrusion.

Published in

Biomacromolecules
2024, volume: 25, number: 12, pages: 7642-7659
Publisher: AMER CHEMICAL SOC

SLU Authors

• Prade, Thomas

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Bio Materials

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00883

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/139375