Banana DNA Derivatives as Alignment Layers in Optical Devices

Greg Howard
14th September, 2024

Banana DNA Derivatives as Alignment Layers in Optical Devices

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at the Military University of Technology developed an eco-friendly method to extract and use banana DNA for liquid crystal alignment layers
  • The banana DNA-based alignment layers are biodegradable and offer a safer alternative to toxic polyimide layers
  • This innovation supports sustainable development by converting food waste into valuable biopolymers for optical devices
The increasing generation of food waste due to rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles has become a significant global concern. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nearly one-third of all food produced annually is wasted, leading to the loss of rich resources and posing environmental hazards through traditional disposal methods like landfilling and incineration[2]. The valorization of food waste using biological methods has emerged as a sustainable solution, providing various value-added products such as biofuels, bioplastics, and biofertilizers[2][3]. In a groundbreaking study conducted by the Military University of Technology, researchers explored the novel use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from bananas as a homeotropic alignment layer for liquid crystals (LCs)[1]. This research aimed to extract and investigate banana DNA by synthesizing and studying its complexes with various surfactants. The goal was to evaluate the potential of these complexes as alignment layers in electro-optical transducers. The study proposed a simple and eco-friendly method for synthesizing DNA complexes isolated from bananas with surfactants. The researchers transformed the isolated DNA into a functionalized alignment layer. This approach is significant as it offers a biodegradable alternative to the commonly used, yet toxic, polyimide alignment layers. DNA-based materials are promising for photonic applications and biosensors due to their excellent optical and physical properties, biodegradability, and low production cost. The novelty of this research lies in the potential use of banana-derived DNA materials as biodegradable biopolymer alignment layers for optical devices. This innovation aligns with the sustainable development of the circular bioeconomy concept, which emphasizes advanced technologies for food waste valorization[3]. By converting food waste into bio-based products, such as biopolymers, this approach addresses both resource and environmental challenges[3]. The extraction and functionalization of banana DNA for use in liquid crystal alignment layers represent a significant advancement in the field of food waste valorization. Previous studies have highlighted the potential of food waste, particularly fruit and vegetable waste, to generate value-added products through various conventional and emerging techniques[4]. The current study expands on these findings by demonstrating a novel application of banana DNA in optical devices. Furthermore, the study's use of banana DNA as a biopolymer aligns with earlier research on the production of biopolymers from food waste. Various categories of food waste, including fruit and vegetable waste, have been employed for producing different biopolymers, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, starch, and cellulose[5]. The advances in producing biopolymers through chemical, microbial, or enzymatic processes have increased their acceptability and potential applications[5]. The current study builds on this knowledge by introducing a new application for banana-derived DNA biopolymers. In summary, the study conducted by the Military University of Technology demonstrates a novel and eco-friendly approach to utilizing banana DNA as a homeotropic alignment layer for liquid crystals. This research contributes to the broader field of food waste valorization by offering a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to conventional alignment layers. By incorporating advanced techniques and building on previous findings, this study highlights the potential of food waste-derived biopolymers in various applications, paving the way for future innovations in sustainable materials.

BiotechGeneticsPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Banana DNA derivatives as homeotropic alignment layers in optical devices.

Published 13th September, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1039/d4sm00322e

Related Studies

2) Microbial strategies for bio-transforming food waste into resources.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122580

3) Sustainable processing of food waste for production of bio-based products for circular bioeconomy.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2021.124684

4) Utilization of fruit and vegetable waste to produce value-added products: Conventional utilization and emerging opportunities-A review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132221

5) Production of biopolymers from food waste: Constrains and perspectives.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127650


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