CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LIGNOCELLULOLYTIC MATERIALS FROM THE AMAZON RAINFOREST TO INDICATE SUSTAINABLE USE

The research delves into the technological characterization process of green materials sourced from the Amazon Forest, employing chemical tools. The extensive utilization and applicability of these green materials hinge upon their physical, mechanical, and chiefly chemical attributes, given that their interaction with products is intricately tied to environmental conditions. This investigation into the chemical composition of Amazonian green materials was undertaken at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA/Brazil) and local institutions like the Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM/Brazil). Derived from the Amazon peach palm (Bactris gasipaes), both the stem and spongy tissue were utilized as the foundation for producing green materials. Moreover, waste generated from the regional wood industry served as a substrate for cultivating edible mushrooms, while tannic extracts sourced from Fabaceae bark were incorporated into the formulation of natural adhesives. Astrocaryum acaule (tucumã-i) fibers were employed in garment production, and experiments were conducted with Ischnosiphon polyphyllus (arumã) fibers to reinforce cement structures. The study underscored how chemical properties bolster the utility of green materials, with their chemical characterization playing a pivotal role in crafting new bioproducts. Understanding the chemical properties of lignocellulosic materials sourced from the Amazon Rainforest is foundational in discerning their properties and exploring potential applications. The untapped potential of this raw material in the Amazon region continues to inspire technological research, with advancements transcending academia, thereby contributing to the economic and social advancement of the region.