Low-Density Insulation Blocks and Hardboards from Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) Stems, a New Perspective for Building Applications

Nowadays, amaranth appears as a promising source of squalene vegetable origin. Amaranth oil is indeed one the most concentrated oils in squalene, i.e., up to 6% (w/w). This triterpene highly appreciated cosmetology, especially for formulation moisturizing creams. It almost exclusively extracted from liver sharks, causing their overfishing. Thus, providing renewable origin major challenge cosmetic industry. The plant has thus experienced renewed interest recent years. In addition seeds, stem also produced during cultivation. Representing 80% (w/w) aerial part, it composed ligneous fraction, bark, on its periphery, and pith middle. this study, fractionation process was developed separate bark pith. These two fractions were then used produce materials building applications. On hand, hardboards, with deoiled seeds acting natural binder. Such boards are viable alternative commercial wood-based panels. other transformed into cohesive machinable low-density insulation blocks revealing low thermal conductivity value.