Turning Food Waste into High-Value Nanocellulose

Date: September 26, 2023

Country: Australia

Application

• This project converts food waste into bacterial nanocellulose, which can be used in eco-friendly packaging, wound treatments, and drug delivery. Additionally, it has potential applications in smart packaging and biomedical fields due to its biodegradability and versatility.

Description

This project explores the production of nanocellulose from food waste, specifically acid whey, a byproduct of dairy manufacturing. Using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY), the process is low-cost, energy-efficient, and waste-free. The resulting nanocellulose has applications in packaging, biomedical products, and smart materials. This sustainable approach supports a circular economy by upcycling food waste into valuable materials.

Pathway Description:

The process used in this project involves fermenting food waste, specifically acid whey, with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY). The bacteria in the SCOBY produce nanocellulose from the sugars in the waste, forming a gelatinous material (pellicle) on top of the mixture. This process is low-cost, energy-efficient, and produces no waste, making it an environmentally sustainable method for generating valuable nanocellulose.