Nucleic acids from agro-industrial wastes: A green recovery method for fire retardant applications

•Spent brewer’s yeast and vegetable scraps were used as inexpensive sources of NAs.•A simple, cheap and green extraction method was set for each matrix.•The extraction procedures showed a high level of reliability for NAs recovery.•The extracted nucleic acids were suitable for fire retardant applications.•NAs from spent brewer’s yeast cells were able to provide self-extinction to cotton.