The sunflower plant family for bioenergy, environmental remediation, nanotechnology, medicine, food and agriculture: a review

Energy security and pollution are becoming critical issues in the context of climate change and the circular economy, calling for sustainable resources. Asteraceae species, commonly referred as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, are among the largest flowering plants with 23,000 species belonging to 1600 genera, and are a major source of biomass. Here we review botanical characteristics and applications of Asteraceae for bioenergy, remediation, nanotechnology, medicine, food and agriculture. Sunflower is the most used to produce bio-oils with a yearly production of 47 million tons. Sunflower is also used for phytoremediation of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, uranium, and chromium. Artichoke, chicory, purple coneflower, and wormwood display medicinal potential with 27–103 bioactive compounds. Artemisia, calendula, and sunflower oil are precursors for cosmetic and perfume production. Asteraceae species exhibited high efficiencies of 90−96% for removal of remazol red, and reactive blue dyes. Asteraceae species are used for fabrication of nanoparticles, biochar, activated carbon and biocomposites.