Genipap Oil as\na Natural Cross-Linker for Biodegradable\nand Low-Ecotoxicity Porous Absorbents via Reactive Extrusion

Proteins derived\nfrom agroindustrial coproducts and a\nnatural cross-linking\nagent (genipap oil containing genipin) were used to develop porous\nmaterials by reactive extrusion for replacing fossil-based absorbents.\nIncorporating genipap oil allowed the production of lightweight structures\nwith high saline uptake (above 1000%) and competing retention capacity\ndespite their porous nature. The mechanical response of the genipap-cross-linked\nmaterials was superior to that of the noncross-linked ones and comparable\nto those cross-linked using commercial genipin. The extruded products\nwere hemocompatible and soil-biodegradable in less than 6 weeks. The\ncompounds generated by the degradation process were not found to be\ntoxic to the soil, showing a high bioassimilation capacity by promoting\ngrass growth. The results demonstrate the potential of biopolymers\nand new green cross-linkers to produce fully renewable-based superabsorbents\nin hygiene products with low ecotoxicity. The study further promotes\nthe production of these absorbents using low-cost proteins and continuous\nprocessing such as reactive extrusion.