superbiOmAT · Development of superabsorbent biomaterials based on oat protein through electrospinning and 3D printing
Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2024-01-01 → 2025-12-31
- EU contribution
- €181,153
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Development of superabsorbent biomaterials based on oat protein through electrospinning and 3D printing
Superabsorbent materials (SAMs) are specialised substances capable of absorbing and retaining water in amounts exceeding ten times their own dry weight. These materials are vital for essential products such as diapers, menstrual pads, wound dressings, and soil conditioners for agriculture. However, a significant environmental challenge exists because most commercially available SAMs are derived from petroleum and are difficult to degrade. Furthermore, their breakdown products can be biologically toxic, contributing to environmental pollution. The superbiOmAT project addresses this challenge by developing sustainable, bio-based superabsorbent alternatives derived from oat protein (OP). Oats are a major crop in the European Union, which is a global leader in its production. Specifically, the project utilises OP, which is an under-exploited by-product remaining after the extraction of health-promoting β-glucans. By revalorising this by-product, superbiOmAT promotes a circular economy and aligns with the strategic goals of the European Green Deal and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The overall objective of the project is to develop green superabsorbent biomaterials. This is achieved through three scientific pathways: increasing the water-binding capacity of the protein through chemical functionalisation, processing the material using advanced techniques like electrospinning and 3D printing, and evaluating the performance of these new materials in practical applications like agriculture and hygiene.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Superabsorbent materials (SAMs) can absorb and retain large amounts of water (>10 times their weight). Hence, they have many applications, such as soil conditioners, diapers, menstrual pads, and wound dressings. Thus, in 2021 SAMs global market was valued at $8.6 billion. However, one of the main concerns about their use is that they are often based on acrylic acid and polyacrylamide, which are petroleum-derived, difficult to degrade, and their degradation products could be toxic. The superbiOmAT project will take this challenge by developing SAMs based on oat protein (OP). The specific objectives are to increase water binding capacity of OP through chemical functionalisation, to process OP through electrospinning and 3D printing, and to evaluate the potential of superbiOmAT in different applications. OP is an under-exploited by-product after β-glucan extraction. However, its high lysine content makes it a good target for functionalisation by acylation to enhance its water binding capacity. Electrospinning and 3D-printing could be particularly interesting for developing SAMs, yet not fully explored for protein matrices. The superbiOmAT project will revalorise OP and open a portfolio of new bio-based SAMs. A commercial interest in the results of this project is expected and protection of IPR will be prioritised. Amongst general public and targeted audiences, the project will raise awareness of the pollution created by petroleum-derived SAMs and their potential toxicity. This project is in line with a more sustainable production system and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN Agenda 2030). superbiOmAT will be carried out by Dr. Barbara Tomadoni with the supervision of Prof. Antonio Guerrero at University of Seville, Spain. The researcher will gain maturity and independence through the realisation of this project, following her training and career development plan, thanks to the supervisor’s experience and the host institution’s education and training programmes.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLA · SevillaCoordinatorSpain
Links
- View on CORDIS
- DOI: 10.3030/101105413
- https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e50e8cc2e2&appId=PPGMS
- https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e5259e6169&appId=PPGMS
Data: CORDIS, © European Union