Semisintético

Semisintético refers to a substance or material that is produced through a combination of natural and synthetic components or processes. It occupies a middle ground between entirely natural products derived solely from biological sources and purely synthetic materials created artificially through chemical reactions. The term "semisintético" is often used in various fields, including chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and materials science, to describe products that are partially modified from their natural precursors or assembled using both natural and artificial building blocks.

In the context of chemistry, a semisynthetic compound might be derived from a natural product that is then chemically altered to enhance its properties, improve its stability, or create a new derivative with desired characteristics. This approach allows for the leveraging of complex natural structures while overcoming limitations of the original substance. For example, certain antibiotics are semisynthetic, meaning they start with a naturally occurring antibiotic molecule that is then modified in a laboratory to make it more potent or effective against a wider range of bacteria.

In materials science, semisynthetic materials can involve the incorporation of natural fibers into a synthetic polymer matrix, or the use of natural processing techniques alongside synthetic ones. The goal is often to combine the desirable attributes of both natural and synthetic components, such as the biodegradability of natural materials with the strength and durability of synthetic ones. The term highlights a deliberate blending of origins to achieve a specific outcome.