Development of biomimetic and biobased products for aesthetic medicine

Climate change, once underestimated or denied, now presents evident and often catastrophic impacts. The pharmaceutical sector, despite its rapid advancements, relies on energy-intensive processes and large volumes of solvents requiring complex disposal methods. In recent decades, green chemistry has gained momentum, though many proposed eco-friendly extraction and purification methods remain impractical for industrial application. Aesthetic medicine, closely linked to pharmaceuticals, represents a substantial global market. To address the need for sustainable, scalable methods with reduced solvent and energy use, this doctoral thesis focused on the valorization of biomaterials—mainly from marine and agricultural waste—into high-value products. Conducted in collaboration with CMed Aesthetics, the research emphasized industrial applicability, including scale-up and quality control in line with ISO standards. The study explored polysaccharides for aesthetic and wound care medical devices across three chapters: (1) extraction and formulation of jellyfish-derived polysaccharides (Rhizostoma pulmo); (2) pullulan-based scaffolds and films for wound healing; (3) injectable boosters using hyaluronic acid, including novel dermal fillers crosslinked with agents from agricultural waste. Activities involved collaborations with the University of Pisa, Ghent University (Prof. Dubruel), Institute of Life Sciences India (Dr. Dash), and CMed Aesthetics (Drs. Malventi and Michelini), ensuring scientific rigor and industrial relevance.