Mahboobeh Yazdani’s Post

🚨 New project alert! Many everyday products still rely on animal-derived ingredients like collagen, chitin and squalene, including cosmetics and agrochemicals. This dependence raises ethical concerns and environmental impacts, with millions of sharks killed every year for squalene alone. The CBE JU-funded MYCOCIRCLE project will show how mushroom cultivation waste can be upcycled into sustainable compounds such as triglyceride oils, terpenoids, protein hydrolysates and chitin derivatives. These bio-based alternatives will provide the cosmetics and agrochemical industries with animal-free, circular, and scalable solutions. What MYCOCIRCLE will deliver: ▶️ Conversion of mushroom biomass into ingredients for cosmetics and agrochemicals ▶️ Bio-based terpenoids, triglyceride oils, protein hydrolysates and chitin polymers as animal-free alternatives ▶️ Reduced energy use compared to current lab-scale methods ▶️ More sustainable options for crop protection and cosmetic formulations The project is supported with €3.49 million in CBE JU funding and has partners from 7 countries.

🌿 Exciting News! Our latest research has just been published! 🌿 📄 Title: Sustainable Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from Forest Residues Using Microwave-Assisted Extraction In this study, we explored the potential of forest pruning residues, specifically bark and wood from black locust, oak, and birch, as sustainable sources of bioactive compounds. Bark samples showed significantly higher extractives content than wood, revealing their richer chemical profiles. Using microwave-assisted extraction with a deep eutectic solvent, we developed two optimized models targeting birch bark and oak wood. Optimal extraction conditions were identified for each material, and preliminary cytotoxicity and cell viability assays confirmed promising safety profiles, supporting their potential use in cosmetic applications. 🌱 This work supports the valorization of forest residues and contributes to the development of greener, circular bioeconomy solutions in the cosmetics sector. 👏 Congratulations to all the authors for their great work. Dr. Leyre Sillero Ortigosa, Maria Daniela Marcial Valbuena, Dr. Irene Olaizola Rebé, 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂́𝘀 𝗕𝗮ñ𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶, Dr. Fabio Hernández Ramos, Dr. Xabier Erdocia, Dr. Amaia Morales Matías. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dEGDjjxU

Alhamdulillah! ✨ I’m delighted to share that our latest research, “𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞: 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧” has been published in the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 (𝐐𝟏, 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝟖.𝟓) This study utilized fruit processing waste to develop an eco-friendly biodegradable film. It highlights the structural and functional properties and demonstrates the film’s potential in food preservation, contributing to greener, more sustainable packaging solutions. 🔗 Read here: https://lnkd.in/dHFSDxus

From Waste to Bioplastics: Turning Refuse into Resources 🌱♻️ This 7-step journey shows how everyday organic waste—like food scraps and agricultural residues—can be transformed into sustainable bioplastics. From collection, pre-treatment, and microbial fermentation, to polymer extraction, formulation, and molding, each stage reflects the power of environmental biotechnology and circular economy thinking. At ORS-RIC, we go beyond recycling—we create value from waste. Organic Recycling Systems Limited ORS - Research Innovation Centre(RIC) Suhas Bhand Prof. (Dr) Manju D Tanwar Sarika Loni Sanika Nanaware Padma Bhujbal Kapare Piyusha Kotkar Diya Saha #ORS #RIC #Bioplastics #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #EnvironmentalBiotech #WasteToWorth #EcoInnovation

Not long ago, I discovered something that completely changed the way I see household organic waste: Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming. These “nature’s recyclers” transform food scraps into: Protein-rich larvae – a sustainable feed for poultry and birds Frass – a nutrient-packed biofertilizer It’s a simple yet powerful example of the circular economy in action, showing how everyday waste can become something valuable. This experience also made me realize that LinkedIn can be more than just a professional network—it can be a place to discover ideas that truly make a difference. A special thanks to Mostafa Akhlaghi and MandIran | ماندایران for introducing such an accessible and innovative approach. 👉 I’m particularly interested in exploring research opportunities in circular economy and sustainable agriculture, especially in transforming organic waste into valuable products #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #WasteManagement #BlackSoldierFly #Bioeconomy #Borås

Recent research from Tarleton State University, published in ACS Omega, demonstrates that okra and fenugreek extracts can remove up to 90% of microplastics from various water sources, offering a biodegradable, nontoxic alternative to synthetic polymers like polyacrylamide. The sticky polysaccharides in okra and fenugreek attract microplastics, causing them to clump and sink for easy separation. Researchers soaked sliced okra pods and blended fenugreek seeds in water overnight, dried the extracts into powders, and tested them in lab and real-world water samples. In tests with microplastic-spiked water, one gram of powder per liter was most effective: fenugreek removed 93% in an hour, okra 67%, and a 1:1 mix reached 70% in 30 minutes. Real-world tests on Texas water samples showed okra was best for ocean water (80% removal), fenugreek for groundwater (80-90%), and the mix for freshwater (77%). Efficiency varied due to differences in microplastic types, sizes, and shapes. Unlike polyacrylamide, which can leave toxic residues, these plant-based extracts are eco-friendly, reducing health risks without adding pollutants. This breakthrough suggests a scalable, sustainable solution for microplastic pollution in water treatment, leveraging natural polymers to address a pressing environmental challenge.

New study investigates sustainability risks to vegetable oils A new study by an international research team looked into the sustainability profiles of three major vegetable oils – palm oil from Malaysia, soyabean oil from Brazil and rapeseed oil from Germany, PhysOrg wrote. Co-ordinated by Wageningen University & Research alongside IPB University (Indonesia) and Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, the study assessed the contribution the three oils made towards achieving the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2040, the 4 August report said. In addition to assessing the oils’ current sustainability performance, the study also looked at their future performance under business-as-usual and ambitious scenarios. In these scenarios, the researchers evaluated six key sustainability aspects: land use efficiency, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, biodiversity impacts, pollution effects, livelihood contributions and economic performance. The researchers found that palm oil was the most land-efficient oil crop, producing over twice as much per hectare as soyabean or rapeseed oil. Practices such as intercropping and livestock integration in oil palm and double cropping in soyabean could further boost land use efficiency for all three crops, the study found....... https://lnkd.in/gRu5zjfg

Alhamdulillah! Excited to share our recent study published in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. link: https://lnkd.in/gBpkAtMj In this study, we developed biodegradable composite films crafted from watermelon rind pectin and nanocellulose derived from pineapple peel, transforming food by-products into value-driven materials. Our approach addresses multiple pressing challenges: 1. Reduces reliance on plastic-based food packaging. 2. Valorizes agri-waste streams, supporting circular economy principles 3. Promotes safer, eco-friendly food packaging solutions for fresh produce A heartfelt thanks to my co-authors, research team, and institution for their support in making this meaningful contribution possible. #BiodegradablePackaging #FoodEngineering #Sustainability #Nanocellulose #Pectin #FoodWasteValorization #CircularEconomy

Myth-Busting Biomaterials Myth 1: “Bio-based products compete with food crops.” ❌ That’s a common misconception. 👉 Fact: At OzoneBio, we don’t touch food crops. Instead, we harness wood waste and non-food biomass, turning discarded resources into high-value biomaterials. By doing this, we: - Avoid competing with agriculture and food supply - Reduce waste streams - Lower carbon emissions in industries like fashion, automotive, and packaging At OzoneBio, sustainability doesn’t come at the cost of food security—it’s about creating value from waste. #Sustainability #Biomaterials #ClimateSolutions #CircularEconomy #OzoneBio

Biodegradable containers, particularly those made from biopolymer materials, can meet many of the practical and market expectations of the industry, thus offering a potential pathway toward more sustainable container use in horticultural production. #HortScience https://lnkd.in/eRSFEzTu