Rigid Polyurethane Foams' Development and Optimization from Polyols Based on Depolymerized Suberin and Tall Oil Fatty Acids.

The utilization of polyols derived from renewable sources presents an opportunity to enhance the sustainability of rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams, thereby contributing to the advancement of a circular bioeconomy. This study explores the development of PUR rigid foams exclusively using polyols sourced from second-generation renewable biomass feedstocks, specifically depolymerized birch bark suberin (suberinic acids) and tall oil fatty acids. The polyols achieved a total renewable material content as high as 74%, with a suberinic acid content of 37%.

Evaluation of Oleogels Stabilized by Particles of Birch Outer Bark Extract through a Novel Approach.

Structuring liquid oils into oleogels using natural and abundant biomass components as gelling agents is of great significance in fields such as foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In this work, a more energy-efficient and technologically simpler approach for directly preparing birch outer bark extract particles containing oleogel was used. This method involves introducing birch outer bark extract particles into the oil phase directly from the extract solution, combining both the evaporation of solution and gel formation.

Effect of Betulin Colloidal Particles on Proliferation and Cytokine Secretion of Human Skin Fibroblasts.

The aim of the study was to obtain untreated and treated betulin colloidal particles and assess their effect on the viability, morphology, proliferation and cytokine secretion of human dermal fibroblasts. To improve bioavailability, betulin treatment was performed by an antisolvent precipitation technique. The average particle size after treatment in the aqueous dispersion decreased from 552.

Rigid Polyurethane Foams as Thermal Insulation Material from Novel Suberinic Acid-Based Polyols.

Developing polyols from biomass sources contributes to a more circular economy by replacing petroleum-based polyols in the vast production of polyurethanes (PUR). One such potential biomass source could be leftover birch bark from which suberinic acids (SA) can be obtained. The purpose of this study was to identify the best synthesis routes for novel SA-based polyols, obtain rigid PUR foams, and evaluate their competitiveness and potential suitability as thermal insulation material.

Analytical Method Cluster Development for Comprehensive Characterisation of Suberinic Acids Derived from Birch Outer Bark.

Suberin is a complex polyester biopolymer, and it is practically impossible to estimate the real content of suberin in suberised plant tissues. This indicates the importance of the development of instrumental analytical methods for the comprehensive characterisation of suberin derived from plant biomass for the successful integration of suberinic products into biorefinery production chains. In this study, we optimised two GC-MS methods-one with direct sylilation, and the second with additional depolymerisation, using GPC methods with RI detector and polystyrene calibration and with a three-angle light scattering detector and an eighteen-angle light scattering detector.

Utilization of Suberinic Acids Containing Residue as an Adhesive for Particle Boards.

The birch ( spp.) outer bark is a valuable product rich in betulin. After removal of betulin extractives, suberin containing tissues are left.

Suberinic Acids as a Potential Feedstock for Polyol Synthesis: Separation and Characterization.

Global sustainability challenges prompt the world to modify its strategies and shift from a fossil-fuel-based economy to a bio-resources-based one and to the production of renewable biomass chemicals. Depolymerized suberinic acids (SA) were considered as an alternative resource to develop bio-polyols that can be further used in polyurethane (PU) material production. Birch () outer bark was used as a raw material to obtain the SA, extracted with ethanol, and depolymerized with potassium hydroxide ethanol solution.