Biomaterials derived from protein fiber waste: a literature review

Jacinto N.N.; Villanueva-Llapa A.; Solis-Tejada X. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2026) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2026.1.1.1022

Resumen

This study presents a literature review on the valorization of protein fiber waste derived from animal sources, aimed at developing usable biomaterials across various sectors and industries. Following the PRISMA methodology, 37 scientific articles published between 2020 and 2025 were selected from the Scopus database. The results show that protein fiber waste is primarily processed through hydrolysis and subsequently transformed into fibrous materials, films, bioplastics, hydrogels, and protein hydrolysates. Biomedical applications are frequently reported in the literature, while industrial, environmental, and textile applications remain scarcely addressed, revealing research gaps regarding sustainable processes that could be implemented on a larger scale. Overall, the findings underscore the potential of protein fiber waste, especially wool, as an alternative raw material for developing products aligned with circular economy principles.

Instituciones: Universidad Católica San Pablo