Fertilizer-releasing biocomposites based on chitosan and cellulose obtained by spray drying technique

• Grant number: 17/03980-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal researcher: Roselena Faez
• Grantee: Lucas Luiz Messa
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/08057-8 - Fertilizer-releasing biocomposites based on chitosan and cellulose obtained by spray drying technique, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

The use of controlled release materials for macro and micronutrients is an efficient tool that contributes to the sustainability of agricultural practices. The increase of the fertilizer efficiency, reduction of soil toxicity and negative effects associated with overdose are some of the benefits provided by these materials. However, the release efficiency of the material and its degradation still requires studies. The main motivation of this project is the preparation of a polymeric biocomposite based on natural materials (chitosan and cellulose) added with macronutrients (K, P and N) and its application in the soil. The chitosan-cellulose microparticles will be prepared with spray-drying technique. The structural, thermal and morphological properties, as well as the swelling capacity and nutrient release in water will be evaluated. The release in soil will be evaluated with TDR technique that measure the ionic movement in a particular systems as soil. The spray dryer operating specifications will be determined based on the quality of the final product and the nutrient release properties. In addition, the objective is to understand the structure-properties relationship of biocomposite systems. It is important to highlight that the use of the TDR technique in the in situ monitoring of soil nutrient release is innovative in this area of materials applied to Agriculture and will provide quickly and accurately information on the release profile of material. The aim of the project is to obtain systems that may have applications in the controlled release of agro-nutrients and in the development of nutritional products for high-yield Agriculture. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MESSA, LUCAS LUIZ; FAEZ, ROSELENA. Spray-dried chitosan/nanocellulose microparticles: synergistic effects for the sustained release of NPK fertilizer. Cellulose, v. 27, n. 17, p. 10077-10093, NOV 2020. Web of Science Citations: 6.