Path2Green: introducing 12 green extraction principles and a novel metric for assessing sustainability in biomass valorization

abstract

We propose an innovative approach to address the pressing need for efficient and transparent evaluation techniques to assess extraction processes' sustainability. In response to society's growing demand for natural products and the consequent surge in biomass exploration, a critical imperative arises to ensure that these processes are genuinely environmentally friendly. Extracting natural compounds has traditionally been regarded as a benign activity rooted in ancient practices. However, contemporary extraction methods can also significantly harm the environment if not carefully managed. Recognizing this, we developed a novel metric, Path2Green, tailored specifically and rooted in 12 new principles of a green extraction process. Path2Green seeks to provide a comprehensive framework beyond conventional metrics, offering a nuanced understanding of the environmental impact of extraction activities from biomass collection/production until the end of the process. By integrating factors such as resource depletion, energy consumption, waste generation, and biodiversity preservation, Path2Green aims to offer a holistic assessment of sustainability of an extraction approach. The significance of Path2Green lies in its ability to distill complex environmental data into a simple, accessible metric. This facilitates informed decision-making for stakeholders across industries, enabling them to prioritize greener extraction practices. Moreover, by setting clear benchmarks and standards, Path2Green incentivizes innovation and drives continuous improvement in sustainability efforts, being a new user-friendly methodology.

keywords

FUTURE; SCALE; FOOD

subject category

Chemistry; Science & Technology - Other Topics

authors

Mesquita, LMD; Contieri, LS; Silva, FAE; Bagini, RH; Bragagnolo, FS; Strieder, MM; Sosa, FHB; Schaeffer, N; Freire, MG; Ventura, SPM; Coutinho, JAP; Rostagno, MA

Groups

G4 - Renewable Materials and Circular Economy
G5 - Biomimetic, Biological and Living Materials

Projects

Collaboratory for Emerging Technologies, CoLab (EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES)

CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)

CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)

Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)

acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support received from Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP (2020/08421-9, 2021/11022-1, 2020/03623-2, 2021/11023-8, 2023/05722-6, 2021/12264-9, 2023/12621-1, 2022/10469-5, 2013/04304-4, 2020/15774-5, 2018/14582-5, 2022/10469-5, EMU 2015/00658-1 and 2019/13496-0). M. A. Rostagno thanks the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - CNPq (302610/2021-9). This study was financed in part by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Financial code 001. This work was developed within the scope of the projects CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/50011/2020), UIDP/50011/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDP/50011/2020) & LA/P/0006/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0006/2020)), financed by National funds through the FCT/MECTES (PIDDAC). Francisca A. e Silva acknowledges FCT for the researcher contract CEECIND/03076/2018/CP1559/CT0024 (https://doi.org/10.54499/CEECIND/03076/2018/CP1559/CT0024) under the Scientific Employment Stimulus - Individual Call 2018. Filipe H. B. Sosa acknowledge FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, I. P. for the researcher contract CEECIND/07209/2022, under the Scientific Employment Stimulus - Individual Call. N. S. acknowledges the European Research Council (ERC) for the starting grant ERC-2023-StG-101116461. This study was funded by the PRR - Recovery and Resilience Plan and by the NextGenerationEU funds at Universidade de Aveiro, through the scope of the Agenda for Business Innovation "InsectERA" (Project no. 20 with the application C644917393-00000032).