Unlocking plant protein and CRISPR potato starch novel uses: Design of fibre-based absorbents with tailored functionalities

Fibres used in absorbents and medical textiles are made from synthetic polymers and are in urgent need to be replaced.

Plant biopolymers, protein and starch, form bio-based materials and fibres, which are very promising in replacing synthetic fibres.

Wheat gluten protein and newly designed potato starch in our latest study have shown their suitability in making cotton-like protein fibres and dual layer starch materials with attractive absorption properties.

Although, more improvement is needed towards innovative processing tuning of these promising polymers towards functional performance in new absorbent applications.

Together with fibre spinning techniques and new treatments, with this project we aim to improve a processing window of the gluten-potato protein and novel CRISPR potato starch, and create new “green” absorbents and healing medical textiles.

Here, we aim to: 1) develop new CRISPR potato starch to deliver new bio-based material functionalities; 2) improve knowledge on the gluten-potato protein and CRISPR potato starch molecular interactions, morphology and structure in processed bio-fibres and composites; 3) tune the macromolecular structure of gluten-potato protein and potato starch to fibre functionalities in absorbent applications.

This project is an excellent collaboration example between the academia and industry, bridging scientific knowledge and industrial competence into a relevant discovery pathway towards sustainable development of Sweden.