Summary
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.
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.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101105413 |
| Start date: | 01-01-2024 |
| End date: | 31-12-2025 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 181 152,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
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.
Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01-01Update Date
31-07-2023
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