From biowaste to functional bio-based materials: innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture and food preservation

The increasing demand for sustainable materials and environmentally responsible agricultural and food production systems calls for innovative alternatives to persistent plastics and excessive chemical inputs. The aim of this research was to develop multifunctional, biodegradable bio-based materials by valorizing insect and sericultural biowastes for sustainable agriculture and food preservation. A circular and biomimetic approach was employed to convert Chinese oak silkworm (Antheraea pernyi) and rice moth biowastes into functional chitin-, chitosan-, and silk-based materials. A. pernyi eggshells and silk fibroin fibers were incorporated into chitosan matrices to develop biodegradable composite mulch films, while rice moth biowaste was converted into chitin nanocrystals (RM-ChNCs) with biomimetic chiral nematic structures. The eggshell-reinforced films showed improved mechanical and thermal properties, complete UV blocking, 65–75% soil biodegradation within eight weeks, strong weed suppression, and enhanced plant growth. Silk fibroin–chitosan films enabled sustained herbicide release, reduced herbicide migration, and achieved 92.59% weed suppression, with complete weed control using only one-quarter of the recommended pendimethalin dosage. In food preservation, RM-ChNCs formed chiral nematic Bouligand architectures, while incorporation of black carrot extract provided antioxidant and antibacterial functionality. The resulting coatings improved blueberry texture and color stability and helped preserve anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity during refrigerated storage. Overall, these findings demonstrate that insect and sericultural biowastes can be transformed into high-value, biodegradable, and multifunctional materials. The take-home message is that integrating circular biowaste valorization with molecular, nanoscale, and biomimetic design can provide innovative solutions that reduce plastic pollution and chemical inputs while supporting sustainable agriculture, food preservation, and the circular bioeconomy.