Marina Proença Dantas

The growing concern over the environmental impacts caused by plant agriwaste has intensified the search for sustainable alternatives in manufacturing processes. This review explores the valorization of agro-industrial residues, such as those derived from banana, coconut, and pineapple, for example. It highlights their potential to be converted into value-added products, particularly within the textile sectors. Emphasis is given to the environmental and economic benefits of reusing biomass rich in fibers and bioactive compounds while discussing key technological, regulatory, and logistical barriers that still limit large-scale applications. In parallel, it presents recent advances in processing technologies, such as biocomposites and biochar, and the integration of circular economy principles to promote resource efficiency and waste reduction. The analysis also underscores the importance of public policies and financial incentives to drive innovation and ensure the viability of sustainable practices in industrial contexts. The article proposes an ideal circular production flow model that contrasts current linear practices with a regenerative, bio-based alternative. By mapping current challenges and future perspectives, this review expects to contribute to the debate on environmental responsibility, green technologies, and the economic potential of plant residue reuse in manufacturing chains.

Global population growth, climate change, and the environmental impact of livestock production have accelerated the search for sustainable and efficient protein sources. Fruiting bodies (mushrooms) and mycelial biomass have emerged as promising alternatives due to their high nutritional quality, low ecological footprint, and compatibility with circular bioeconomy principles. This review highlights the nutritional, biotechnological, and environmental aspects of fungal proteins obtained from both fruiting bodies and mycelial biomass of Basidiomycetes. Emphasis is placed on amino acid composition, protein digestibility, and advances in cultivation and fermentation systems for large-scale production. Submerged and solid-state fermentation processes are analyzed in terms of scalability, resource efficiency, and integration with agro-industrial residues for sustainable bioprocessing. Comparative analyses reveal that mycelial biomass production achieves high protein yields with significantly reduced land, water, and energy requirements compared to conventional protein sources. Emerging fungal species such as Schizophyllum commune and Auricularia polytricha demonstrate strong potential for producing protein-rich mycelia applicable to functional and plant-based foods. Finally, the review discusses current technological innovations, regulatory frameworks, and market perspectives that position fungal biomass as a strategic component in the ongoing global protein transition.

This study investigates the fibers of tucum (Bactris setosa Mart.), a palm species native to the Atlantic Forest. The fibers manually extracted from tucum leaves were characterized to determine important properties that help with the recognition of the material. The fibers were also subjected to pre-bleaching to evaluate their dyeing potential. The extraction and characterization of these fibers revealed excellent properties, making this material suitable not only for manufacturing high-quality textile products but also for various technical and engineering applications. The characterization techniques included SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), and tensile strength tests. These analyses showed that tucum fibers possess desirable properties, such as high tensile strength, with values comparable to linen but with a much finer diameter. The fibers also demonstrated good affinity for dyes, comparable to cotton fibers. An SEM analysis revealed a rough surface, with superficial phytoliths contributing to their excellent mechanical strength. FTIR presented a spectrum compatible with cellulose, confirming its main composition and highly hydrophilic nature. The dyeing tests indicated that tucum fibers can be successfully dyed with industrial direct dyes, showing good color yield and uniformity. This study highlights the potential of tucum fibers as a renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable alternative for the transformation industry, promoting waste valorization.

O uso de corantes naturais tem sido uma prática comum desde a antiguidade, derivados de fontes animais, vegetais ou minerais. Porém, com o advento da industrialização, os corantes utilizados no processo de tingimento têxtil passaram a ser fabricados em grandes escalas, possuindo em sua maioria origem sintética, causando um impacto negativo ao meio ambiente. Na indústria do couro, a utilização de pigmentos sintéticos é comum devido à sua capacidade de proporcionar cores vibrantes e duráveis, essenciais para atender às expectativas do mercado. No entanto, esses pigmentos, apesar de melhorarem a qualidade estética do couro, geram poluição significativa. Os processos químicos envolvidos na produção e aplicação dos pigmentos sintéticos resultam em resíduos que contaminam as águas e podem afetar negativamente a saúde humana e o meio ambiente. Isso destaca a necessidade de buscar alternativas sustentáveis que minimizem os impactos ambientais enquanto mantêm a qualidade do produto. Este estudo objetivou implementar corantes vegetais no tingimento de couro animal, buscando um método mais sustentável. Utilizou-se um pigmento extraído do hibisco em solução alcoólica, aquecido por 80 minutos e exposto à luz solar, resultando em uma cor vermelha intensa. A aplicação desse pigmento alterou significativamente a cor do couro tratado, demonstrando a viabilidade da técnica pela simplicidade do processo e o menor impacto ambiental. O uso do pigmento natural do hibisco é uma alternativa viável e de fácil replicabilidade para a indústria têxtil em larga escala. Esta prática oferece uma opção sustentável e ecologicamente consciente para o tingimento do couro.

Substantial amounts of organo-pollutants, often persistent and toxic, are generated globally each year, posing a threat to soil, water, groundwater, and air. The pollutants encompass a wide range of substances from various sources, which include solid as well as liquid ones, such as landfill leachates and wastewaters. The compounds include paper and pulp mill byproducts, pharmaceuticals, diverse types of plastics, hydrocarbons, pigments, and dyes, as well as pesticides and insecticides. Fungal bioremediation stands out as a promising technology that uses the metabolic potential of fungi to eliminate or mitigate the impact of pollutants. Notably, species of the genus Pycnoporus exhibit significant capabilities for degrading a broad spectrum of toxic molecules. This degradation is facilitated by released ligninolytic enzymes, especially laccase, and cellular enzymes pertaining to the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system. The laccase, which is overproduced by the genus Pycnoporus, is quite remarkable for its high redox potential. The objective of this review is to highlight the proficiency of the Pycnoporus genus in the degradation of pollutants in submerged and solid-state fermentation. Recent studies conducted over the past decade consistently highlight the Pycnoporus genus as a robust contender in the realm of white biotechnology.