Room: Yangtze 1
Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Time: 09:00 - 10:00 CEST
Session code 6BO.3
Platforms for bio-based chemicals and polymers - Processes and applications
Influence of Biomass Pretreatment on Lignin Structure and the Development of Lignin-Based Nanostructures for Heavy Metal Adsorption
Short Introductive summary
Banana production generates significant agricultural waste, with the banana pseudostem being the most abundant lignocellulosic material, yet underutilized. This study explores extracting lignin from banana pseudostem, leveraging its polyphenol content. While lignin is the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose, its complex structure requires pretreatment for effective use in value-added applications. We investigated the effects of hydrothermal and acid pretreatments on lignin structure and developed lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) for better functionality. LNPs were combined with TEMPO-oxidized cellulose and chitin nanofibers to create materials for heavy metal adsorption, demonstrating high efficiency due to enhanced physicochemical properties. This work emphasizes the importance of pretreatment in lignin valorization, offering sustainable biomass-based solutions for circular biorefineries.
Presenter
Rosangela ALMEIDA MAIA
Aalto University, Bioproducts and Biosystems Dpt., FINLAND
Presenter's biography
Rosangela Maia is a Wood Engineer and holds a PhD in Bioenergy from UNESP, Brazil. She is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Aalto University, working within the field of Materials Science, where she specializes in lignocellulosic materials, multifunctional materials, and the circular economy.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
B.D. Mattos, Aalto University, Espoo, FINLAND
B. Zhao, Aalto University, Espoo, FINLAND
A. Aprigio da Silva Curvelo, USP, Sao Carlos, BRAZIL
P.A. Nousiainen, Aalto University, Espoo, FINLAND
G. Ventorim, UNESP, Itapeva, BRAZIL
M. Farooq, Aalto University, Espoo, FINLAND
A.R. Gonçalves, Unesp, Rio Claro, BRAZIL
J. Vänskä, Aalto University, Espoo, FINLAND
M. Österberg, Aalto University, Espoo, FINLAND
O.J. Rojas, Aalto University, Espoo, FINLAND
Session reference: 6BO.3.1