Over the last years the growing environmental awareness has been prompting the research to develop a new generation of mulches starting with raw materials from renewable origin. Innovative biodegradable soil mulching coatings were developed using novel polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins, derived from waste products of the leather industry. These biodegradable polymeric materials were applied in the field by means of the spray technique at University of Bari (Italy, latitude 41° 05′ N), from 2009 to 2011. In order to obtain biodegradable coatings and to modulate their chemical-physical and mechanical properties, grafting and crosslinking protein hydrolysate with biodegradable polymeric materials such as Poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) and natural polyunsaturated fatty acids were performed. In order to improve the physical properties and decrease water sensitivity, fibers, saw dust and carbon black were added. The biodegradable soil mulching polymeric materials showed suitable mechanical properties keeping its mulching effect up to 12 months. The black coatings inhibited weed growth like the black LDPE film did, satisfying the agronomic task of the mulching film. The biodegradable materials are environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic petro-chemical polymers for a sustainable agriculture.
Development of hydrolyzed protein derivatives for biodegradable spray mulching coatings
SARTORE, Luciana;
2012-01-01
Abstract
Over the last years the growing environmental awareness has been prompting the research to develop a new generation of mulches starting with raw materials from renewable origin. Innovative biodegradable soil mulching coatings were developed using novel polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins, derived from waste products of the leather industry. These biodegradable polymeric materials were applied in the field by means of the spray technique at University of Bari (Italy, latitude 41° 05′ N), from 2009 to 2011. In order to obtain biodegradable coatings and to modulate their chemical-physical and mechanical properties, grafting and crosslinking protein hydrolysate with biodegradable polymeric materials such as Poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) and natural polyunsaturated fatty acids were performed. In order to improve the physical properties and decrease water sensitivity, fibers, saw dust and carbon black were added. The biodegradable soil mulching polymeric materials showed suitable mechanical properties keeping its mulching effect up to 12 months. The black coatings inhibited weed growth like the black LDPE film did, satisfying the agronomic task of the mulching film. The biodegradable materials are environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic petro-chemical polymers for a sustainable agriculture.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
