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Summary Concern headed under waste management promotes the development and application of biodegradable materials. Naturally occurring lignocellulosic fibres, such as malt bagasse (MB), are often low‐cost industrial by‐products with attractive properties. This work focused on extruding starch‐based expanded composites, containing two different brewing residues, Pilsen malt bagasse (PMB) and Weiss malt bagasse (WMB). Their mechanical, thermal and structural properties were evaluated. The expansion index was higher in the WMB10 extruded composite (25.73 ± 4.75), also evident in the SEM‐FEG images which show more quantity and uniformity of pores. WMB5 and WMB10 resulted in a 50% decrease in composite water solubility relative to the Control. The hardness (N) of the samples was reduced by using MB fibres of both types, producing a less stiff and brittle material, which contributes to a potential application as alternative biodegradable packaging for non‐biodegradable materials based on expanded polystyrene.

Bionanocomposite films based on chitosan and nanocellulose (nanocrystals or nanofibrils) have gained considerable attention for biomedical applications, especially for wound dressings. However, the development of these films as controlled drug release dressings is still under-exploited. Therefore, this work aimed to design chitosan/nanocellulose-based bionanocomposite films, loaded by betamethasone or silver sulfadiazine, as functional dressings. The films were obtained by solvent casting and characterized by physicochemical, mechanical, barrier properties, in vitro drug release, and antimicrobial activity. The nanocellulose type, physical state, and content caused influence on the film's properties providing different physical, barrier, and drug release profiles. They are semi-occlusive and mechanically resistant; the drug release is controlled, and possesses antimicrobial activity. In conclusion, the developed biodegradable bionanocomposite films are promising as active dressings for controlled drug delivery in the wound site and have specific applications according to their features to treat inflamed and purulent wounds, noninfectious dry wounds, and infectious wounds.

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