Proposed Dissertation Topic

Abstract

Upcycling protein materials from industrial waste streams into sustainable fibers is a promising
approach to reducing environmental pollution and promoting sustainable development. Keratin is
a fibrous protein that can be found in various waste streams. Upcycling keratin into sustainable
fibers involves several steps, including extraction, purification, and processing. Various
techniques such as chemical modification, enzymatic treatment, and electrospinning have been
explored to improve the mechanical properties and functionality of the keratin fibers.

THE AIM OF THE RESEARCH

The aim of the research on upcycling protein materials from industrial waste streams, such as
keratin, into sustainable fibers is to address the environmental challenges.

Background

Researchers have explored various techniques to maintain the structural integrity and
functionality of the protein during processing, such as chemical modification, enzymatic
treatment, and electrospinning[1]. Using keratin from side streams is an advantage from a
sustainability perspective over biomacromolecules that need to be extracted from virgin
biomass[2]. The method to process extracted keratin, using HCl to induce the formation of a
coacervate, a separate aqueous phase with a very high protein concentration[3]. The natural
keratin obtained by biomass does not contain any harmful chemicals and can be used directly to
produce a variety of cosmetics, creams, shampoos, hair conditioners, and biomedical
products[4]. A bio-based textile waste management system should promote the development and
application of novel recycling techniques, such as further development of biochemical recycling
processes[5]. With different extraction methods, the keratin can be combined with other
materials to obtain new products that can be used for biomedical applications[6]. Tannery hair
waste was hydrolyzed using alkaline hydrolysis to obtain a high yield of keratin protein[7].
biobased composites are considered interesting options, especially those obtained from agro-
industrial wastes and by-products[8]. wet spinning of a blended keratin solution to create a novel
filament[9].
 Objective

1. Identification and characterization of waste streams containing protein materials

2. Development of extraction and purification methods to isolate the protein materials

3. Optimization of processing conditions to maintain structural integrity and functionality.

4. Evaluation of the mechanical, thermal, and biodegradable properties of the resulting fibers.

5. Use fibers in various industries, such as textiles, composites, and medical applications.

A preliminary schedule for the research project could be as follows:

Time funding objective

frame
year 1 Identify and characterize waste streams containing protein materials, such as keratin,

years 2  Continue optimization of processing conditions for fiber formation.

 Evaluate the mechanical, thermal, and biodegradable properties of the
resulting fibers.
years 3  Finalize optimization of processing conditions for fiber formation.

year 4  Prepare research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals and

presentation at conferences.

[1] V. M. Perez-Puyana et al., “Functionalization Routes for Keratin from Poultry Industry
Side-Streams—Towards Bio-Based Absorbent Polymers,” Polymers (Basel)., vol. 15, no.
2, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.3390/polym15020351.
[2] T. Stories and L. News, “From salon floor to salad bowl : Discarded hair upcycled into
urban farming growth medium,” no. Sep 21, pp. 1–5.
[3] J. Sun et al., “Bioinspired Processing of Keratin into Upcycled Fibers through pH-Induced
Coacervation,” ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng., vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 1985–1994, 2023, doi:
10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c06865.
[4] S. Sharma and A. Gupta, “Sustainable Management of Keratin Waste Biomass :
Applications and Future Perspectives,” vol. 59, no. December, pp. 1–14, 2016.
[5] I. Wojnowska-Baryła, K. Bernat, and M. Zaborowska, “Strategies of Recovery and
 Organic Recycling Used in Textile Waste Management,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public
Health, vol. 19, no. 10, 2022, doi: 10.3390/ijerph19105859.
[6] S. Claudiu, “Closing the Loop with Keratin-Rich Fibrous Materials,” pp. 1–26, 2021.
[7] A. Mengistu, K. Angassa, and I. Tessema, “Optimization of Keratin Hydrolysate
Extraction from Tannery Sheep Hair Waste,” Int. J. Chem. Eng., vol. 2023, 2023, doi:
10.1155/2023/9293505.
[8] F. Ortega, F. Versino, O. V. López, and M. A. García, Biobased composites from agro-
industrial wastes and by-products, vol. 5, no. 3. Springer International Publishing, 2022.
doi: 10.1007/s42247-021-00319-x.
[9] M. Lebedytė and D. Sun, “A review: can waste wool keratin be regenerated as a novel
textile fibre via the reduction method?,” J. Text. Inst., vol. 113, no. 8, pp. 1750–1766,
2022, doi: 10.1080/00405000.2021.1940018.