Development and Characterization of sustainable Materials from invasive brown Seaweed Ruguopteryx okamurae

This PhD thesis investigates the valorization of the invasive brown seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae as a raw material for bioplastic production and sustainable composites. As an invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea, Rugulopteryx okamurae poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Its proliferation disrupts local ecosystems, prompting efforts to repurpose this biomass into environmentally friendly materials. The main objective is to develop and characterize sustainable materials using this seaweed. Two pathways were explored: the first involved the production of bioplastics and biocomposites by combining freeze-dried seaweed with glycerol as a plasticizer and blending it with polycaprolactone, acylated soy protein isolate, and cassava starch. These materials were processed through injection molding and characterized for their structural, rheological, thermal, mechanical, and functional properties; the second pathway focused on extracting and characterizing sodium alginate from the seaweed and comparing its properties with those of commercial alginates. Calcium alginate hydrogels were then produced, rheological properties were determined, and they were doped with polyphenols extracted from orange peel waste, with the aim of enhancing their rheological properties. Additionally, a life cycle assessment was performed to evaluate the environmental impact of the sodium alginate extraction process. This research demonstrates the potential of Rugulopteryx okamurae as a renewable resource for bioplastics, providing a solution to both the ecological challenge of its invasive nature and the need for sustainable materials, aligning with efforts to reduce plastic pollution and promote the circular economy.

Author dc:creator

• Santana Romero, Ismael

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Bengoechea Ruiz, Carlos
• Félix Ángel, Manuel

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11441/172582

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:idus.us.es:11441/172582