Bioproducts Institute

The demand for biodegradable materials across various industries has recently surged due to environmental concerns and the need for the adoption of renewable materials. In this context, lignin has emerged as a promising alternative, garnering significant attention as a biogenic resource that endows functional properties. This is primarily ascribed to its remarkable origin and structure that explains lignin's capacity to bind other molecules, reinforce composites, act as an antioxidant, and endow antimicrobial effects. This review summarizes recent advances in lignin-based composites, with particular emphasis on innovative methods for modifying lignin into micro and nanostructures and evaluating their functional contribution. Indeed, lignin-based composites can be tailored to have superior physicomechanical characteristics, biodegradability, and surface properties, thereby making them suitable for applications beyond the typical, for instance, in ecofriendly adhesives and advanced barrier technologies. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the latest progress in the field of lignin utilization in emerging composite materials.

Interactions of sub-micron lignin particles dependent on precursor kraft lignin chemistry and molecular weight.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production from biomass and biowaste streams is an attractive option for decarbonizing the aviation sector, one of the most-difficult-to-electrify transportation sectors. Despite ongoing commercialization efforts using ASTM-certified pathways (e.g., lipid conversion, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis), production capacities are still inadequate due to limited feedstock supply and high production costs. New conversion technologies that utilize lignocellulosic feedstocks are needed to meet these challenges and satisfy the rapidly growing market. Combining bio- and chemo-catalytic approaches can leverage advantages from both methods, i.e., high product selectivity via biological conversion, and the capability to build C-C chains more efficiently via chemical catalysis. Herein, conversion routes, catalysis, and processes for such pathways are discussed, while key challenges and meaningful R&D opportunities are identified to guide future research activities in the space. Bio- and chemo-catalytic conversion primarily utilize the carbohydrate fraction of lignocellulose, leaving lignin as a waste product. This makes lignin conversion to SAF critical in order to utilize whole biomass, thereby lowering overall production costs while maximizing carbon efficiencies. Thus, lignin valorization strategies are also reviewed herein with vital research areas identified, such as facile lignin depolymerization approaches, highly integrated conversion systems, novel process configurations, and catalysts for the selective cleavage of aryl C–O bonds. The potential efficiency improvements available via integrated conversion steps, such as combined biological and chemo-catalytic routes, along with the use of different parallel pathways, are identified as key to producing all components of a cost-effective, 100% SAF. Lignin-first approach followed by hydrodeoxygenation is used to produce SAF. Bio- and chemo-catalytic conversion pathways utilize the carbohydrate fraction of lignocellulose for SAF production. These parallel pathways offer great potential to producing all components of a cost-effective, 100% SAF. • Hybrid bio- and chemo-catalytic conversion pathways are reviewed for sustainable aviation fuel production from biomass. • Lignin valorization strategies are discussed with vital research areas identified. • Conversion routes, catalysis, and processes are discussed, while key challenges and R&D opportunities are identified.

), while being stable in the wet state (50% of dry strength), which warrants consideration as biobased absorbent systems. In addition, according to cell proliferation and viability of rat cardiac myoblast H9c2 and mouse bone osteoblast K7M2, the wet-spun ChNF microfibers showed excellent results and can be considered as fully safe for biomedical uses, such as in sutures, wound healing patches and cell culturing.

The immuno-oncology-microbiome (IOM) axis, referring to the gut microbiota-regulated immune interactions on the tumor microenvironment and systemic immunity, is essential for cancer therapies. However, the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents (Chemos) disrupts the gut microbiota- and gut microbiota-manipulated IOM axis, further diminishing the therapeutic efficacy. Here, we developed oral nanoarmored live bacterial biotherapeutics (supraLBT), to reshape the tumor microenvironment and enhance chemotherapy via reestablishing the IOM axis. The cyto-adhesive polyphenol-based supraparticles, made from green tea polyphenol and food-grade milk protein, attached on microbes ( Escherichia coli Nissle1917, EcN) resisted a range of clinically relevant Chemos via phenolic-mediated noncovalent interactions, enhancing supraLBT survival by 27-fold compared with bare EcN. SupraLBT restored the intestinal microbiota and the disrupted IOM axis, thereby reducing the infiltration of regulatory T cells, increasing the recruitment of cytotoxic CD8 + T cells to the tumor bed, and further inhibiting tumor proliferation and demonstrating enhanced systemic immune responses. Notably, oral supraLBT combined with chemotherapy (doxorubicin) exhibited 2.35-fold greater tumor regression than that of doxorubicin alone, indicating that oral supraLBT can enhance the chemotherapeutic effect. Further investigations revealed that supraLBT reprogrammed the immune tumor microenvironment by upregulating antitumor cytokines and altering the gut microbial composition. Given the intricate interplay between gut microbiota, host immune system, and tumor microenvironment, this work presents a facile and biomaterial-engineered microorganism-based strategy to enhance the synergistic immuno-chemotherapy effects.

We present the preparation, morphological analysis, and rheological characterization of ultra-low solid content gels prepared by physically cross-linking TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TEMPO-CNF) with the soluble plant-cell-wall polysaccharide, mixed-linkage β-glucan (MLG). Of particular note, gel formation was rapidly induced by very small amounts of MLG (e.g. 0.125% w/v) at extremely low TEMPO-CNF concentration (0.05% w/v), which independently were otherwise fluid and thus easily handled. Rheology of these bionanocomposite gel systems as a function of MLG and TEMPO-CNF concentrations revealed that the critical gel concentration of MLG and TEMPO-CNF followed a power-law relation of the concentration of the other component. Surprisingly, these systems also exhibited an additional transition to thick gels at high TEMPO-CNF and MLG concentrations that was visible only at low frequencies. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) imaging of admixture solutions and gels revealed increased network crowding with increasing MLG amounts. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that non-covalent cellulose-MLG interactions, analogous to those occurring within plant cell walls, drive gel formation. The ability to tune gel physical properties simply by controlling CNF (a promising forest bioproduct) and MLG (a readily available agricultural polysaccharide) fractions at very low solid and polymer content opens new possibilities for material applications in diverse industries.

Moisture-driven actuators featuring programmable stimuli-responsiveness and a rapid response have garnered substantial research attention. Cellulose-based actuators face challenges, including prolonged and unstable responsiveness, along with inadequate interfacial bonding. Herein, we developed a bilayer structured moisture actuator by integrating multiscale cellulose fibers with chitosan. The protonated chitosan forms strong electrostatic attractions with negatively charged cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), achieving a robust interfacial interaction. Leveraging the hierarchically porous structure and varying hygroscopicity of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and CNF, the film establishes an effective wettability gradient, enabling a stable and rapid moisture actuation performance. The bilayer film exhibits large deformation toward moisture with a bending angle of 60°, a short response time of 12 s, good stability over 50 wetting and drying cycles, and promising recyclability. Harnessing these advantageous properties, the bilayer film was demonstrated for its applications in automatic cooling textiles, contactless electrical switches, and artificial moisture-activated muscles, showing great potential for practical use.

PtRuC offers the opportunity to electrochemically convert bio-oils to drop-in biofuels and platform chemicals. Here we demonstrate the concept using phenol to cyclohexane as a model reaction.

Jet fuel is relatively small in terms of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions (10% of U.S. transportation sector in 2021, expected to increase to 14% by 2050). Still airlines have ambitious goals to reduce their greenhouse footprints from carbon-neutral growth beginning this year to reducing greenhouse gas emission for international flights by 50% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. The challenge is heightened by the longevity of the current fleet (30–50 years) and by the difficulty in electrifying the future fleet because only 5% of the commercial aviation greenhouse gas footprint is from regional flights that might, conceivably be electrified using foreseeable technology. Therefore, large amounts of sustainable aviation fuel will be needed to reach the aggressive targets set by airlines. Only 3 million gallons (11.4 ML) of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) (with a heat of combustion totaling about 400 TJ = 0.0004 EJ) was produced in the U.S. in 2019 for a 26 billion gallon per year market (3.6 EJ/year). Fischer-Tropsch and ethanol oligomerization (alcohol-to-jet) are considered for producing SAF, including the use of renewable electricity and carbon dioxide. In sequencing the energy transition, cleaning the U.S. grid is an important first step to have the largest greenhouse gas emissions reduction. While carbon dioxide and clean electricity can potentially provide the SAF in the future, an ethanol oligomerization option will require less energy.

Biodegradable cellulose films are promising alternatives to plastics, but achieving stretchable all-cellulose composites (ACCs) remains challenging. Here, we present a scalable strategy for creating stretchable yet mechanically strong ACCs. This approach integrates swollen-regenerated microfibers with dissolution-regenerated cellulose to form multiscale architectures, achieved through mechanical pretreatments and cold NaOH treatment of kraft pulp, followed by vacuum filtration and press-drying. Swollen-regenerated microfibers establish preferential sacrificial networks that enhance mechanical strength through nanofiber pull-out, while dissolution-regenerated cellulose matrix facilitates nanoscale load transfer, maintaining ductility. The ACC achieves a tensile strength of 89.0 MPa, a strain to failure of 24.7%, and a work of fracture of 17.3 MJ m –3 ─1.3 times stronger, 1.5 times more stretchable, and 3.8 times tougher than microfibrillated cellulose films. With added benefits of wet strength, grease resistance, oxygen barrier property, and biodegradability, this work demonstrates a scalable approach to engineering multiscale cellulose networks for sustainable packaging.

We review alternatives that have been proposed to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vehicles by comparing alternatives for displacing the current suite of transportation fuels to more GHG-sparing fuels and, to a lesser extent, powertrains. Two topical approaches, biofuels and electrofuels, appear to be less effective than direct electrification of the fleet. By biofuel, we mean a fuel derived from sustainably sourced biomass or waste carbon streams. By electrofuel, we mean a fuel derived from a carbon source in which most of the stored energy stems from an electrochemical conversion. For any direct electrification (e.g., battery-powered vehicle) or indirect electrification (e.g., electrofuel) technology to significantly reduce the overall emissions of carbon dioxide and criteria pollutants from the transportation sector, the grid would need to be modernized and decarbonized.

Abstract Living emulsions, which incorporate active bacteria into oil–water multiphase systems, represent an innovative integration of microbiology and colloid science. The active role of living species offers dynamic and adaptive functionalities absent in traditional emulsions. In particular, bacteria, as active colloids, have the potential to fulfill roles such as Pickering stabilizers, biomanufacturers, and biomediators to functionalize, reinforce, or degrade with multiphasic components. Selecting bacteria with appropriate surface properties (e.g., wettability, surface charge) enables their adsorption at oil–water interfaces, forming living Pickering emulsions for food or biocatalyst applications. Beyond static stabilization, bacteria-driven biosynthesis of materials like bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) at interfaces could promote advanced biofabrication of structured microcapsules and emulgels; whereas, conversely, hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria have been recognized to disrupt emulsions by metabolizing oil phases, offering bioremediation solutions for oil spills. These active emulsion systems highlight bacterial adaptability to extreme conditions and biodegradability, aligning with ecological sustainability. By merging microbial activity with emulsion science, living emulsions unlock smart, multifunctional systems for industries ranging from food to environmental technology.

Recalcitrant waste plastics such a polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene are difficult to recycle and are mostly disposed of in landfills and eventually leached into the environmental as micro- and nano-plastics. This review explores how photo-, electro-, and combined photoelectro-catalytic processes can assist in the degradation and upcycling of waste plastic into different chemicals and mitigate their release to the environment. In this work, we discuss how the different reaction mechanisms proceed, explore the current relevant literature, and highlight the developments needed to advance the field.

The bioconversion of a lignocellulosic biomass presents significant challenges due to its complex structure. Various pretreatments have been explored to enhance biomass accessibility for efficient fractionation. Prehydrolysis, known for its environmental friendliness and promising benefits, emerges as an effective strategy. This Review provides a concise account of lignin's chemical structure and its transformations during the prehydrolysis. It explores the mechanisms involved in biomass prehydrolysis, focusing on lignin's degradation, dissolution, and migration. We end with a perspective to deepen the understanding of lignin's role during prehydrolysis in efforts to advance lignocellulose bioconversion.

to form a metal-phenolic network (MPN) and capping the MPN onto starch nanoparticles. Wash performance was evaluated using SNPs concentrations of 0.5-1.25 wt % and varying FTN loadings, and the best performance was obtained at 1.0 wt % SNPs with 0.25 mM FTN. Comprehensive evaluations on fresh produce demonstrated that the FTN@SNP wash significantly reduced a range of surface pesticide residues, achieving over 86% removal of thiabendazole as quantified by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The optimized formulation further achieved 93.51% and 89.03% removal of acetamiprid and imidacloprid, respectively, outperforming conventional wash solutions. Molecular dynamics simulations supported high pesticide-MPN affinity with binding energies of -32.40 kcal/mol (acetamiprid), -24.45 kcal/mol (imidacloprid), and -20.98 kcal/mol (thiabendazole), consistent with interactions dominated by π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals forces. In addition, the wash solution helped maintain postharvest quality of both whole and fresh-cut produce over 15 days of storage, as reflected in the visual appearance, weight loss, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids. This dual-action approach highlights the potential of the FTN@SNPs wash as a sustainable, biodegradable, and scalable strategy to improve food safety and minimize postharvest losses across the fresh produce supply chain.

Blood sugar monitoring has crucial significance for diabetes mellitus diagnosis, and noninvasive continuous detection methods are the future development trend. Among various noninvasive detection methods, glucose detection in tears has the advantages of a high level of subject compliance, minimal pollution, and accuracy. However, sensors used for detecting glucose concentration in tears usually embed noble microelectrical components into contact lenses, making the process complicated and costly, and easily cause environmental pollution and resource wastage. Here, we propose a construction strategy for contact lenses based on the cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) cholesteric structure, preparing products that change color according to the concentration of glucose. In addition, the surface of the contact lenses can be loaded with drugs for adjuvant treatment of diabetic eye complications. Contact lenses offer advantages such as a fast response speed (<240 s), high sensitivity with distinct colors at specific glucose concentrations (green at 0 mM, yellow at 5 mM, and red at 10 mM), and a reversible response process. Furthermore, they exhibit good biocompatibility (90% cell viability by CCK-8 assay) and biodegradability (complete biodegradation in soil within 120 days). CNC cholesteric contact lenses realize noninvasive, wearable continuous glucose detection, providing a new strategy for health monitoring of diabetics.

Electrocatalytic oxidation (ECO) is a promising method for generating molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) while simultaneously treating the aqueous phase (AP) from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of biomass-derived feedstocks such as algae, food waste, sludge, and wood. This study highlights the impact of HTL-AP composition on ECO performance, mainly activity, stability, and efficiency in a batch and flow electrolyzer. We demonstrated current efficiency (CE) for chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal ranges from 14% to 85% in the flow electrolyzer with electrode stability increasing from 20 to ≥2,800 h. Decreasing the applied potential enhances the CE. High ammonium content can accelerate deactivation, yet chloride ions appear to aid oxidation of organic compounds and enhanced anode stability. A preliminary energy and H 2 balance for an HTL sewage sludge plant shows that the HTL-AP contains sufficient COD to produce all the H 2 needs for bio-oil hydrotreating, with a 26% surplus available for other uses.

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Wet air oxidation (WAO) treats waste streams by converting pollutants into benign substances. It can process the aqueous product from the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL-AP) of wet wastes. We studied the WAO of HTL-AP from four wet wastes with different chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels, through continuous testing under various conditions. We screened the reaction parameters necessary for substantial COD reduction >90%. Alcohols and ketones in the HTL-AP rapidly oxidized to acetic acid through aldehyde intermediates, while acetic acid, other carboxylic acids, and phenols oxidized relatively slowly. Light N-containing compounds exhibit a change in concentration only after the whole sample reaches an 80% COD reduction, indicating their refractory nature under applied conditions. Energy released in the WAO reaction was calculated. Anaerobic toxicity assay demonstrated that the WAO-treated sample exhibited a 23% enhancement in reaction kinetics, indicating decreased inhibitory effects compared to untreated HTL-AP. These findings provide insights into designing effective WAO processes for valorizing HTL aqueous products, addressing key barriers to HTL process commercialization.

Synthetic adhesives commonly used in shipbuilding, plumbing, and various industrial and household applications pose environmental and health concerns due to chemical leaching and other issues. In this work, we present a sustainable alternative using chitin nanofibers (ChNF) to enhance the networking and surface binding of biomolecules. We investigate aqueous-based formulations composed of tannic acid (TA), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and chitin nanofibers, which form robust adhesive complexes. These are driven by multiple interactions involving phenolic and hydroxyl groups, which are present at high densities and contribute to exceptional adhesion upon drying. Unlike most two-component structural adhesives, the ChNF-based adhesives introduced here do not rely on organic solvents and demonstrate versatility across surfaces with contrasting topologies and surface energies, including stainless steel, polypropylene, wood, and others. With an ultimate shear strength reaching up to 20 MPa, these adhesives rival commercially available structural adhesives commonly used for bonding metals, wood, and glass. The addition of chitin nanofibers enhances adhesion by up to 400%, depending on the PVA-to-TA ratio. Furthermore, these adhesives exhibit long-term structural integrity under wet conditions, showing no signs of swelling or degradation. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying adhesion in both wet and dry states, we conducted comprehensive analyses, including morphological, mechanical, rheological, spectroscopic, thermal, and surface characterizations. The findings highlight the potential of ChNF-based adhesives as a viable and sustainable alternative for diverse industrial applications.

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Nanochitins exhibit unique structural attributes that confer distinct physical properties to multiphase systems. Amphiphilic tannic acid (TA) serves as an excellent candidate for interfacial modification via electrostatic adsorption and complexation with nanochitin. In this study, we developed green and food-safe strategies to enhance the stabilizing and functional performance of complexes formed through the coassembly of chitin nanofibers (ChNF) and TA. Their interactions were systematically investigated using spectroscopy, rheological measurements, and molecular simulations, all confirming strong interfacial binding primarily through hydrogen bonding. X-ray diffraction analysis further revealed TA-induced changes in ChNF crystallinity. The resulting ChNF–TA complexes effectively stabilized high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs), which exhibited long-term stability and were successfully applied in direct ink writing. The exceptional stability of the HIPPEs was attributed to the synergistic effects of electrostatic charge neutralization and interfacial tension reduction. Quartz crystal microgravimetry demonstrated rapid complexation, with TA binding to ChNF thin films at a level of approximately 450 ng/cm 2 . The resulting HIPPEs remained stable for at least two months and readily formed cryogels upon freeze-drying. Owing to their enhanced stability and viscoelastic properties, HIPPEs stabilized with ChNF–TA complexes offer a promising platform for the development of sustainable emulsions, with the potential for customization in personalized food and related fields.