SUSTNANOCELL

The SUSTNANOCELL proposal will be based exclusively on renewable by-products from the biodiesel industry (e.g., crude glycerol and proteins contained in sunflower meal—SFM), as well as on various confectionery industry residues generated during production, distributed by consumers and catering services, or returned as expired products. These resources will be utilized for the production of nanoemulsions and biodegradable membranes intended for active food packaging applications.

SUSTNANOCELL will develop an innovative bioprocessing approach for producing nutrient-rich fermentation hydrolysates through sustainable and green enzymatic catalysis. Hydrolysates rich in C6 sugars and crude glycerol will serve as substrates for the biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose (BC) using a selected bacterial strain. The obtained BC will undergo ex-situ modification through controlled acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis, leading to the formation of nanostructures such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs).

Fundamental principles linking raw materials, BC nanostructure preparation methods, and the resulting physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles will be established through specific characterization protocols. The novel multilayer approach will be evaluated for designing nanoemulsion systems incorporating bacterial nanocellulose as a natural emulsifier. The suitability of these systems will be assessed for replacing trans and saturated lipids and for delivering bioactive compounds—for instance, d-limonene derived from citrus peels—into food matrices.

Biodegradable films will be produced using high-purity SFM proteins and bacterial nanocellulose as a reinforcing agent. Their performance will be verified by determining mechanical properties, water permeability, and oxygen barrier capacity. The protein component within the biopolymer matrix will play a dual role—serving both as a source of natural antioxidants and as a carrier for antioxidant compounds, thereby extending the shelf life of packaged food products.