Valorization of tomato stem waste : lignin nanoparticles as eco-friendly platforms for 2,4-D and antimicrobial applications

Knežević, Nataša (author), Hočevar, Jan (author), Titan, Primož (author), Žener, Boštjan (author), Lazić, Vesna (author), Iskra, Jernej (author), Papan Djaniš, Jelena (author)

This study explores the valorization of organosolv lignin extracted from tomato stems (tOL) and its transformation into tomato lignin nanoparticles (tLNP) via a hydrotropic synthesis method using sodium p-toluenesulfonate (p-TSA). The structural and chemical properties of tOL and tLNP were thoroughly characterized using SEM, FTIR, UV-Vis, DLS, Zeta potential, and NMR analyses, confirming successful nanoparticle formation with favorable physicochemical properties. Both tOL and tLNP exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, achieving maximum inhibition of Escherichia coli within 4 h of contact. Furthermore, tLNP were employed as carriers for the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and tested in field trials, demonstrating effective herbicide delivery and enhanced performance under practical agricultural conditions. These results highlight the potential of tomato stem-derived lignin nanoparticles as multifunctional, sustainable materials for agrochemical applications, offering simultaneous waste valorization, antimicrobial protection, and environmentally friendly pesticide delivery.

• Language: English
• Keywords: agricultural waste, multifunctional nanomaterials, lignin nanoparticles, antimicrobial activity, pesticide delivery
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 10 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 241, art. 122773
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-179683
• UDC: 547.458.84:620.3
• ISSN on article: 1872-633X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2026.122773
• COBISS.SI-ID: 267953411
• Publication date in RUL: 20.02.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Industrial crops and products
• Shortened title: Ind. crops prod.
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1872-633X
• COBISS.SI-ID: 175352067

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: kmetijski odpadki, večfunkcionalni nanomateriali, nanodelci lignina, protimikrobna aktivnost, dostava pesticidov