Fruit pomace-lignin as a sustainable biopolymer for biomedical applications

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129498
• Publication Date: 2021-10-29T03:25:51Z
• Authors: Oseweuba Valentin...; Andrew Amenaghawon; Daria Podstawczyk; Houman Alimoradi; Mohammad Reza Kha...; Mylene Anwar; Peiman Brouki Milan; Lei Nie; Amin Shavandi
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; Sciences bio-médicales et agricoles; Sciences de l'ingénieur; 0210 nano-technology; 12. Responsible consumption

Abstract Previous studies have explored the potential of pomace valorization, with an emphasis on the transformation of polysaccharide biopolymers of pomace-cellulose and hemicellulose to produce high-value bioproducts such as microcrystalline cellulose. Notably, opportunities for the exploration of the biopolymer of pomace-lignin for its employment in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering have not been comprehensively explored. There is, therefore, a need for an intervention to highlight the potential of utilizing pomace-lignin as a high-value biomass resource. This review explores potential biomedical applications of pomace-lignin and highlights some of the factors that hinder the industrial utilization of pomace-lignin. In addition, the present review covers lignin chemistry, extraction methods, depolymerization approaches, and prospects of lignin utilization in biomedical applications. It is anticipated that this review will aid future decisions regarding the preferred approaches for the valorization of pomace-lignin.