Exploring the usefulnes of lipids from industrial waste for the synthesis of sustainable biomaterials

Abstract

The continuous population outburst of the last century has resulted in an irresponsible exploitation of resources to fulfill the demand. Circular economy is a regenerative system developed to minimize resource exploration by emphasizing the adaptation of a circular line of production over a traditional linear one by recycling and redirecting materials as input for other products with minimal outflow. Lipid biowaste has tremendous potential due to the physical characteristics and chemical composition inherent to these molecules that have applications in the production of different biomaterials. This dissertation involved the synthesis of two lipid- based biomaterials. In the first part of the dissertation, the synthesis of a polyurethane (PU) coating to protect stone surfaces was carried out by reacting beta-farnesene distillation residue (FDR) and cannabigerol distillation residue (CDR) with toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The formulations were tested in white stones. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, thermal and chromatic characterizations for both formulations were also carried out. CDR was unable to polymerize and thus did not form a PU coating. FDR oil polymerized into layer on the stone surface and shows potential in abrasion protection. For the second part of the dissertation, different combinations of oils (solvent) and waxes (oleogelator) at different concentrations were evaluated for the synthesis of oleogels to integrate diclofenac sodium as a dermal drug delivery system. The ratio of 95:5 (%) oil/wax was deemed optimal. CDR and squalene oils were individually mixed with beeswax, deurex and carnauba waxes. Thermal and chromatic characterization of the oleogels was accomplished. Additionally, oil binding capacity, spreadibility and skin absorption parameters were measured, as well as a fatty acid content profile was achieved. Oleogels with Carnauba wax demonstrated poor gel qualities and therefore were disregarded for the incorporation of diclofenac. FTIR-ATR results did not show evidence of bands from DF in the oleogels, revealing the compound was not completely dissolved into the oleogel mixture.

Date of Award	14 Oct 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Luis Miguel Rodríguez-Alcalá (Supervisor), Lígia Pimentel (Co-Supervisor) & Susana Maria Socorro de Matos Peixoto Vidigal (Co-Supervisor)