15.7 Applications
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hydrophobic layer. The other components of the cutin matrix also have some potential pharmaceutical applications. The cutin matrix contains palmitic acid as well as
a variety of other fatty acids, some of which have bioactive properties. One of such
is linolenic acid. Linolenic acid, a monomer of cutin, has been shown to have antiinflammatory effect with potential to alleviate chronic migraine based on results on a
45-year-old human female patient (Santos and Weaver 2018). The study showed that
when linolenic acid is applied to the base of the neck, it exhibits some prophylactic
effect against chronic migraine. Topically applied treatments for chronic migraine
are particularly preferred due to the convenience and the reduced side effects such
as vomiting which is experienced in some people when using orally administered
medications. This is one of the many potential applications of linolenic acid which
is a monomer from cutin.
Linolenic acid has also been shown to have some anticancer effect, and it also
has good potential for application in the treatment of osteoporosis, cardiovascular
diseases, antioxidant effect and some neuroprotective properties. However, some of
these are still being researched and are inconclusive.
15.7.5 Biomimicry of Cutin Matrix for Wastewater Treatment
The bioremediation properties of plant source of cutin matrix could be extracted or
mimicked in wastewater treatment (Ziegler et al. 2016; Zhou et al. 2018). Although
this is not a direct impact or application of the aquatic biopolymer, the process of
cultivating these plants for extraction of cutin could in the process be applied to treat
contaminated water prior to them being harvested for cutin production. Aquatic plants
can either be grown wild or cultivated using aquaculture. Some aquaculture facilities
are connected to seawater. Where the water comes in from the sea gets filtered and
treated before being released to the plants. The water is then sent back out. This is
mainly done to provide a controlled environment for cultivating aquatic plants. Such
facilities could be extended to incorporate wastewater treatment by aquatic plants
alongside cultivation of the plants for cutin extraction.
15.7.6 Biodiesel Production
Biodiesel production from triglycerides comes with one disadvantage of most triglycerides are used as foods. Furthermore, the transesterification reaction results in the
formation of glycerol which needs to be separated from the main product. The fatty
acids from the cutin matrix could serve as a source of biodiesel. Studies by Borisjuk
et al. (2018) found that the wax fraction of the cutin matrix contained 95% fatty acids.
These fatty acids can be transesterified with alcohols such as methanol and ethanol
to produce biodiesel using appropriate catalysts. This will depend on obtaining a
345
hydrophobic layer. The other components of the cutin matrix also have some potential pharmaceutical applications. The cutin matrix contains palmitic acid as well as
a variety of other fatty acids, some of which have bioactive properties. One of such
is linolenic acid. Linolenic acid, a monomer of cutin, has been shown to have antiinflammatory effect with potential to alleviate chronic migraine based on results on a
45-year-old human female patient (Santos and Weaver 2018). The study showed that
when linolenic acid is applied to the base of the neck, it exhibits some prophylactic
effect against chronic migraine. Topically applied treatments for chronic migraine
are particularly preferred due to the convenience and the reduced side effects such
as vomiting which is experienced in some people when using orally administered
medications. This is one of the many potential applications of linolenic acid which
is a monomer from cutin.
Linolenic acid has also been shown to have some anticancer effect, and it also
has good potential for application in the treatment of osteoporosis, cardiovascular
diseases, antioxidant effect and some neuroprotective properties. However, some of
these are still being researched and are inconclusive.
15.7.5 Biomimicry of Cutin Matrix for Wastewater Treatment
The bioremediation properties of plant source of cutin matrix could be extracted or
mimicked in wastewater treatment (Ziegler et al. 2016; Zhou et al. 2018). Although
this is not a direct impact or application of the aquatic biopolymer, the process of
cultivating these plants for extraction of cutin could in the process be applied to treat
contaminated water prior to them being harvested for cutin production. Aquatic plants
can either be grown wild or cultivated using aquaculture. Some aquaculture facilities
are connected to seawater. Where the water comes in from the sea gets filtered and
treated before being released to the plants. The water is then sent back out. This is
mainly done to provide a controlled environment for cultivating aquatic plants. Such
facilities could be extended to incorporate wastewater treatment by aquatic plants
alongside cultivation of the plants for cutin extraction.
15.7.6 Biodiesel Production
Biodiesel production from triglycerides comes with one disadvantage of most triglycerides are used as foods. Furthermore, the transesterification reaction results in the
formation of glycerol which needs to be separated from the main product. The fatty
acids from the cutin matrix could serve as a source of biodiesel. Studies by Borisjuk
et al. (2018) found that the wax fraction of the cutin matrix contained 95% fatty acids.
These fatty acids can be transesterified with alcohols such as methanol and ethanol
to produce biodiesel using appropriate catalysts. This will depend on obtaining a