Biopolymer Hydrogel Based on Acid Whey and Cellulose Derivatives for Enhancement Water Retention Capacity of Soil and Slow Release of Fertilizers
This study describes the development of a renewable and biodegradable biopolymer-based hydrogel for application in agriculture and horticulture as a soil conditioning agent and for release of a nutrient or fertilizer. The novel product is based on a combination of cellulose derivatives (carboxymethy...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/19/3274 |
| _version_ | 1797515862223093760 |
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| author | Silvie Durpekova Antonio Di Martino Miroslava Dusankova Petra Drohsler Vladimir Sedlarik |
| author_facet | Silvie Durpekova Antonio Di Martino Miroslava Dusankova Petra Drohsler Vladimir Sedlarik |
| author_sort | Silvie Durpekova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study describes the development of a renewable and biodegradable biopolymer-based hydrogel for application in agriculture and horticulture as a soil conditioning agent and for release of a nutrient or fertilizer. The novel product is based on a combination of cellulose derivatives (carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose) cross-linked with citric acid, as tested at various concentrations, with acid whey as a medium for hydrogel synthesis in order to utilize the almost unusable by-product of the dairy industry. The water uptake of the hydrogel was evaluated by swelling tests under variations in pH, temperature and ion concentration. Its swelling capacity, water retention and biodegradability were investigated in soil to simulate real-world conditions, the latter being monitored by the production of carbon dioxide during the biodegradation process by gas chromatography. Changes in the chemical structure and morphology of the hydrogels during biodegradation were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The ability of the hydrogel to hold and release fertilizers was studied with urea and KNO<sub>3</sub> as model substances. The results not only demonstrate the potential of the hydrogel to enhance the quality of soil, but also how acid whey can be employed in the development of a soil conditioning agent and nutrient release products. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:54:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9eed6d663da247ada466011b90e26f50 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:54:15Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-9eed6d663da247ada466011b90e26f502023-11-22T16:38:15ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-09-011319327410.3390/polym13193274Biopolymer Hydrogel Based on Acid Whey and Cellulose Derivatives for Enhancement Water Retention Capacity of Soil and Slow Release of FertilizersSilvie Durpekova0Antonio Di Martino1Miroslava Dusankova2Petra Drohsler3Vladimir Sedlarik4Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Tr. T. Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech RepublicCentre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Tr. T. Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech RepublicCentre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Tr. T. Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech RepublicCentre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Tr. T. Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech RepublicCentre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Tr. T. Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech RepublicThis study describes the development of a renewable and biodegradable biopolymer-based hydrogel for application in agriculture and horticulture as a soil conditioning agent and for release of a nutrient or fertilizer. The novel product is based on a combination of cellulose derivatives (carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose) cross-linked with citric acid, as tested at various concentrations, with acid whey as a medium for hydrogel synthesis in order to utilize the almost unusable by-product of the dairy industry. The water uptake of the hydrogel was evaluated by swelling tests under variations in pH, temperature and ion concentration. Its swelling capacity, water retention and biodegradability were investigated in soil to simulate real-world conditions, the latter being monitored by the production of carbon dioxide during the biodegradation process by gas chromatography. Changes in the chemical structure and morphology of the hydrogels during biodegradation were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The ability of the hydrogel to hold and release fertilizers was studied with urea and KNO<sub>3</sub> as model substances. The results not only demonstrate the potential of the hydrogel to enhance the quality of soil, but also how acid whey can be employed in the development of a soil conditioning agent and nutrient release products.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/19/3274biopolymer hydrogelacid wheycellulose derivativescitric acidswelling propertiessoil improvement |
| spellingShingle | Silvie Durpekova Antonio Di Martino Miroslava Dusankova Petra Drohsler Vladimir Sedlarik Biopolymer Hydrogel Based on Acid Whey and Cellulose Derivatives for Enhancement Water Retention Capacity of Soil and Slow Release of Fertilizers Polymers biopolymer hydrogel acid whey cellulose derivatives citric acid swelling properties soil improvement |
| title | Biopolymer Hydrogel Based on Acid Whey and Cellulose Derivatives for Enhancement Water Retention Capacity of Soil and Slow Release of Fertilizers |
| title_full | Biopolymer Hydrogel Based on Acid Whey and Cellulose Derivatives for Enhancement Water Retention Capacity of Soil and Slow Release of Fertilizers |
| title_fullStr | Biopolymer Hydrogel Based on Acid Whey and Cellulose Derivatives for Enhancement Water Retention Capacity of Soil and Slow Release of Fertilizers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biopolymer Hydrogel Based on Acid Whey and Cellulose Derivatives for Enhancement Water Retention Capacity of Soil and Slow Release of Fertilizers |
| title_short | Biopolymer Hydrogel Based on Acid Whey and Cellulose Derivatives for Enhancement Water Retention Capacity of Soil and Slow Release of Fertilizers |
| title_sort | biopolymer hydrogel based on acid whey and cellulose derivatives for enhancement water retention capacity of soil and slow release of fertilizers |
| topic | biopolymer hydrogel acid whey cellulose derivatives citric acid swelling properties soil improvement |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/19/3274 |
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