TY - JOUR
T1 - A Systematic Review on Seaweed Functionality: A Sustainable Bio-Based Material
AU - Nakhate, Pranav
AU - Van Der Meer, Yvonne
N1 - Funding Information:
Funding: This research and the APC were funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Dutch provinces of Noord-Brabant, Zeeland and Limburg in the context of OP Zuid, grant number PROJ-02125, and Maastricht University.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
PY - 2021/5/31
Y1 - 2021/5/31
N2 - Sustainable development is an integrated approach to tackle ongoing global challenges such as resource depletion, environmental degradation, and climate change. However, a paradigm shift from a fossil-based economy to a bio-based economy must accomplish the circularity principles in order to be sustainable as a solution. The exploration of new feedstock possibilities has potential to unlock the bio-based economy’s true potential, wherein a cascading approach would maximize value creation. Seaweed has distinctive chemical properties, a fast growth rate, and other promising benefits beyond its application as food, making it a suitable candidate to substitute fossil-based products. Economic and environmental aspects can make seaweed a lucrative business; however, seasonal variation, cultivation, harvesting, and product development challenges have yet not been considered. Therefore, a clear forward path is needed to consider all aspects, which would lead to the commercialization of financially viable seaweed-based bioproducts. In this article, seaweed’s capability and probable functionality to aid the bio-based economy are systematically discussed. The possible biorefinery approaches, along with its environmental and economic aspects of sustainability, are also dealt with. Ultimately, the developmental process, by-product promotion, financial assistance, and social acceptance approach are summarized, which is essential when considering seaweed-based products’ feasibility. Besides keeping feedstock and innovative technologies at the center of bio-economy transformation, it is imperative to follow sustainable-led management practices to meet sustainable development goals.
AB - Sustainable development is an integrated approach to tackle ongoing global challenges such as resource depletion, environmental degradation, and climate change. However, a paradigm shift from a fossil-based economy to a bio-based economy must accomplish the circularity principles in order to be sustainable as a solution. The exploration of new feedstock possibilities has potential to unlock the bio-based economy’s true potential, wherein a cascading approach would maximize value creation. Seaweed has distinctive chemical properties, a fast growth rate, and other promising benefits beyond its application as food, making it a suitable candidate to substitute fossil-based products. Economic and environmental aspects can make seaweed a lucrative business; however, seasonal variation, cultivation, harvesting, and product development challenges have yet not been considered. Therefore, a clear forward path is needed to consider all aspects, which would lead to the commercialization of financially viable seaweed-based bioproducts. In this article, seaweed’s capability and probable functionality to aid the bio-based economy are systematically discussed. The possible biorefinery approaches, along with its environmental and economic aspects of sustainability, are also dealt with. Ultimately, the developmental process, by-product promotion, financial assistance, and social acceptance approach are summarized, which is essential when considering seaweed-based products’ feasibility. Besides keeping feedstock and innovative technologies at the center of bio-economy transformation, it is imperative to follow sustainable-led management practices to meet sustainable development goals.
KW - ASCOPHYLLUM-NODOSUM
KW - BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION
KW - BROWN SEAWEED
KW - HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION
KW - IMPACT ASSESSMENT
KW - LAMINARIA-DIGITATA
KW - LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT
KW - MARINE-ALGAE
KW - ULVA-LACTUCA
KW - UNDARIA-PINNATIFIDA
KW - bio-based economy
KW - seaweed functionality
KW - sustainable development goals
U2 - 10.3390/su13116174
DO - 10.3390/su13116174
M3 - (Systematic) Review article
SN - 2071-1050
VL - 13
JO - Sustainability
JF - Sustainability
IS - 11
M1 - 6174
ER -