THE USE OF WASTE CORN COB CELLULOSE SUPPORTED NATURAL SUPER ADSORBANT POLYMERS IN AGRICULTURE
Project no. 29597 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2023
Summary
<p>The world population is steadily increasing, and accordingly, the demand for and consumption of food are also rising. The increase in food consumption leads to a greater amount of food and nutrient waste. In order to pass on a cleaner environment to future generations, efforts are being made to recycle waste and convert it into value-added products. Among these efforts, there is a growing interest in obtaining reusable products by recycling agricultural waste.</p><p>Agricultural (plant) waste is a type of waste that can enhance soil productivity when returned to the land, be used as fertilizer, and have its harmful components eliminated by the soil. These wastes contain abundant natural polysaccharides (such as cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, and chitosan) with high potential for reuse in their structure. Based on the sustainable use of agricultural waste, they are utilized in both fundamental research and industrial applications.</p><p>Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) offer alternative solutions in many areas of agriculture due to their high water retention capacities. Preparing natural-structured (monomer-based on polysaccharides) superabsorbent polymers together with natural biopolymers (cellulose derived from corn cobs) represents an approach with advantages such as reducing water consumption—a global issue—and preventing soil erosion.</p><p>This study, which involves combining SAPs prepared with natural biopolymers and waste resources, will be a pioneering effort. The agricultural potential of the biocompatible, biodegradable material that will not harm plants will be evaluated.</p>