Sustainable Aerogels: Harnessing Canola Seed Meal Proteins

<ul><li>Aerogels are increasingly being used in diverse applications due to their high specific surface area, low density, and high strength-to-weight ratio.</li><li>Proteins and other biomaterials offer a sustainable alternative to inorganic and carbonaceous materials for the preparation of aerogels.</li><li>The high biocompatibility and biodegradability of biobased aerogels, achieved through synthetic biology, open new opportunities for applications in food, cosmetics, and the controlled release of bioactive compounds.</li><li>Canola seed meal, a low-value co-product of canola oil, contains cruciferin, napin, and other proteins, with potential in aerogels and other material applications.</li><li>This study explored the formation of bio-aerogels from proteins extracted from canola seed meal, via an aqueous gelation-supercritical drying approach.</li></ul><p></p>