Enhancing garlic propagation through functional biopolymer-based propagules coatings: A bio-nanotechnological strategy.

Integrating agricultural, chemical, and technological knowledge is crucial for developing bio-nanotechnologies to improve agricultural production. This study explores the innovative use of biopolymeric coatings, based on sodium alginate and sodium alginate + Laponite® (nanoclay), containing biostimulants (tryptophol and thymol) or not, on garlic cloves. These coatings were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Greenhouse bioassays showed improvements in garlic shoot plant biomass with both treatments: sodium alginate biopolymer and sodium alginate biopolymer plus Laponite®. In the field experiment, garlic plants treated with sodium alginate, in combination with conventional pesticide treatments, resulted in better quality garlic bulbs, where larger garlics were harvested in this treatment, reducing commercial losses. In tropical garlic crops, obtaining plants with greater initial vigor is essential. Our results highlight the potential of these bio-nanotechnological strategies to enhance garlic propagation, ensuring environmental protection and food security.

Enhanced white rot control in garlic bulbil using organic-inorganic hybrid materials as coating membranes.

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials have a range of applications due to their unique properties. Their application in agriculture brings alternatives for the controlled release of nutrients in the soil, the seed coating, the transport of herbicides, and the treatment of plant diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the use of fungicides incorporated into hybrid membranes formed by synthetic hectorite (LAPONITE®) and polymers in the pre-treatment of garlic bulbils exposed to the pathogen Stromatinia cepivora, which causes white rot. The coatings were selected by a germination test, based on the bulbil sprouting index, and by a mycelial growth inhibition test, based on the percentage of mycelial growth inhibition. The chosen membranes were used to coat the bulbils for bioassays conducted in a biochemical oxygen demand incubator at 17 °C. The coated bulbils were planted in soil samples containing three different densities of Stromatinia cepivora: 0.1 g, 1.0 g, and 10 g of sclerotium per L of soil. Membranes containing 2% carboxymethyl cellulose and 2% LAPONITE® incorporated with (i) the fungicide tebuconazole (36 mg L-1) and (ii) the combination of the actives tebuconazole (36 mg L-1) and triadimenol (62 mg L-1) showed the total rate of sprouting and null indices of incidence of symptoms and mortality in its repetitions. The hybrid membranes were characterized employing several techniques, including X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry coupled to mass spectrometry, and optical microscopy. Characterization data confirmed the presence of fungicides incorporated into the membranes. Some concentrations of fungicides were low enough not to be detected in all analyses performed, although they guaranteed a protective character to the bulbils about the fungus S. cepivora present in the soil, with a possibility of antifungal pre-treatment with a potential reduction in the concentration used.

Effect of pH, ionic strength, and temperature on the adsorption behavior of Acid Blue 113 onto mesoporous carbon.

Mesoporous carbon (MC) derived from cassava starch was used to remove Acid Blue 113 azo dye from aqueous solutions. The influence of temperature, pH, ionic strength, and the adsorbent dose was investigated in a set of batch experiments. Experimental data showed that Acid Blue 113 adsorption was higher in the acid pH range than in the alkaline one, that dye adsorption increases when the ionic strength and temperature increase, and that adsorption results presented a good correlation with the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption capacity of MC was 295 mg g-1, at pH = 7.0 and 298 K, respectively. Zeta potential (ζ) showed the compression of the diffuse double layer of adsorbent with an increase in temperature and ionic strength, promoting the decrease of electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged surface of the carbon particles and the anionic dye. Thermodynamic results demonstrate that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Moreover, for the first time, this work has demonstrated that the pH, temperature, and ionic strength of the aqueous medium are also able to change the surface charge of carbon-based adsorbents and surely influence the adsorption capacity. Finally, the regeneration of the adsorbent by the photo-Fenton reaction regenerated the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent without generating secondary pollution to the environment.

Plant growth regulation by seed coating with films of alginate and auxin-intercalated layered double hydroxides.

Auxins are a class of organic substances known as plant-growth regulators, which act on plant physiology, promoting its full development. However, due to the great instability of these substances among the diversity of crops and cultivation environments, it is necessary to seek more efficient modes of application, which lead to a homogeneous distribution and promote a sustained release according to the plants demand. Seed coating, using films containing a biodegradable polymer and auxins intercalated into layered compounds, emerges as a very promising approach to a new form of growth regulator application. Thus, the presented work had three aims: (i) the synthesis and characterization of an organic-inorganic hybrid material containing a layered double hydroxide (LDH) of zinc and aluminum and the synthetic auxin 1-naphthalenoacetic acid (ZnAl-NAA-LDH), (ii) the coating of bean seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with composite films produced from mixtures of alginate polymer and ZnAl-NAA-LDH, and (iii) the evaluation of the plant response by bioassays. The hybrid ZnAl-NAA-LDH was characterized by a set of analytical techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis coupled to differential scanning calorimetry and mass spectrometry, specific surface area measurement, and scanning electron microscopy. Bioassays were performed with the seeds coated with the composite film to assess the germination rate and germination speed index of the seeds, as well as biometric analyses including measurements of root area, root fresh matter, and shoot length of the plants. The bioassay performed in soil pots showed that the alginate film containing ZnAl-NAA-LDH yields an enhancement regarding root area, fresh root matter and shoot length of plants. Thus, films produced from a mixture of alginate and the hybrid material containing the growth regulator intercalated into LDH can be a viable alternative to enhance plant development, which can be included in seed management.

Film based on magnesium impregnated biochar/cellulose acetate for phosphorus adsorption from aqueous solution.

Phosphorus (P) is a nutrient necessary for agricultural production and a potential originator for eutrophication in water bodies, resulting in qualitative changes; it may also affect the aquatic ecosystem and human health. In addition, as a finite resource, the importance of studying strategies to remove it from water is evident, thus making possible its recycling. Many studies have used powdered materials, including biochars, for P water decontamination; however, the difficulty of separating and collecting these materials from water after adsorption may be difficult. Therefore, using hybrid materials in which the fine particles (powder) are impregnated into larger, solid particles by means of a polymeric host can facilitate collection and reuse after P adsorption. In this context, this study aimed the synthesis and characterization of a new hybrid film formed by the biopolymer cellulose acetate (CA) and biochar (FAC-B) for P adsorption in aqueous solution. We obtained biochar from the pyrolysis of carrot residue (Daucus carota L.) and doped it with magnesium. As a biodegradable polymer and the most abundant natural polysaccharide in the environment, using CA as a biochar support material is an environmentally friendly alternative. We prepared the CA film with the casting method, and the biochar was inserted into the filmogenic solution in the same amount as the CA. The film was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), molecular absorption spectroscopy in the infrared region with an attenuated total reflectance (FTIR/ATR) accessory, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). We evaluated the thickness, weight, density, H2O uptake and H2O solubility of the produced FAC-B. The maximum adsorption capacity of P by FAC-B was 21.57 mg g-1, in agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption value suggests that the film has the potential to be used as an efficient P adsorbent in water.

Poultry manure and sugarcane straw biochars modified with MgCl2 for phosphorus adsorption.

Increases in agricultural productivity associated to the crescent use of finite reserves of phosphorus improved the demand for ways to recycle and reuse this nutrient. Biochars, after doping processes, seem to be an alternative to mitigate the large use of P reserves. Sugarcane straw and poultry manure were submerged in an MgCl2 solution in a 1:10 solid/liquid ratio and subsequently pyrolyzed at 350 and 650 °C producing biochar. Increasing concentrations of P were agitated with biochars in order to obtain the maximum adsorption capacity of P with the aid of Langmuir and Freudelich isotherm. MPAC was extracted, successively, with H2SO4 (0.5 mol L-1), NaHCO3 (0.5 mol l-1 a pH 8.5) and H2O, until no P was detected in the solution. Biochars without the addition of Mg did not have the ability to adsorb P but had this property developed after the doping process. The poultry manure biochar presented higher MPAC (250.8 and 163.6 mg g-1 of P at 350 and 650 °C, respectively) than that of sugarcane straw (17.7 and 17.6 mg g-1 of P at 350 and 650 °C, respectively). The pyrolysis temperature changed significantly the MPAC values for the poultry manure biochar, with an increase in the adsorbed P binding energy for both biochars. H2SO4 showed the best extraction power, desorbing, with a lower number of extractions, the greater amount of the adsorbed P. These materials doped with Mg and subjected to pyrolysis have characteristics that allow their use in P adsorption from eutrophic and wastewaters and therefore its use as a slow release phosphate fertilizer, indicating to be competitive in quality and quantity with available soluble chemical sources in the market.

A flow injection procedure using Layered Double Hydroxide for on line pre-concentration of fluoride.

This work showed a flow system designed with solenoid valves for preconcentration of fluoride using SPADNS method in water samples. The analyte was preconcentrated in a mini-column coated with Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) used as adsorbent. Then, the fluoride ions were eluted with 0.5molL-1 sodium hydroxide and determined by spectrophotometry. The variables that affect the system such adsorbent mass, type of eluent, solutions flow rate, reagent concentration and pH effect were critically evaluated. Under optimized conditions, the detection limit, coefficient of variation, linear range and preconcentration factor were estimated at 15µgL-1 (99.7% confidence level), 0.8% (500µgL-1, n = 10), 50-500µgL-1 and 10, respectively. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by analysis of ALPHA APS 1076 (Simulated Rain Water) certified material, the values were not significantly different at a 95% level of confidence. The method was applied for fluoride determination in water samples and the levels found were below the maximum values established by Brazilian environmental and health legislations.

Starch, cellulose acetate and polyester biodegradable sheets: Effect of composition and processing conditions.

The production of biodegradable plastic materials using natural resources has aroused increased attention due to environmental concerns. This study aimed to manufacture novel, commercially feasible, biodegradable sheets by flat die extrusion-calendering process produced with thermoplastic starch/plasticized cellulose acetate (TPS/PCA) and thermoplastic starch/plasticized cellulose acetate/poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (TPS/PCA/PBAT) blends, and to investigate the effects of composition and processing conditions, morphological characteristics, and thermal properties. The results showed that TPS/PCA and TPS/PCA/PBAT biodegradable sheets properties were highly dependent upon both composition and processing temperature. The morphological characteristics and thermal properties of the sheets demonstrated the good compatibility between TPS and PCA in TPS/PCA blends, mainly at higher processing temperatures, whereas TPS/PCA/PBAT sheets present a heterogeneous structure due to the poor compatibility between the components. TPS/PCA biodegradable sheets presented suitable processability and handleability characteristics that allow them to be considered as a novel eco-friendly, economically feasible alternative to conventional plastic materials.

Sorption of aspartic and glutamic aminoacids on calcined hydrotalcite.

Sorption of aspartic and glutamic aminoacids by regeneration of calcined hydrotalcite is reported. Hydrotalcite was synthesized by coprecipitation and calcined at 773 K. Sorption experiments were performed at 298 K and 310 K, and the results reveal that at low aminoacids equilibrium concentrations, intercalation of hydroxyl anions takes place while at high equilibrium concentrations, the sorption process occur by means re-hydration and aminoacids intercalation of hydrotalcite. The results also suggested that Asp and Glu sorption is a temperature dependent process. The amount of sorbed amino acid decreases as the temperature increase. The effect is more pronounced for Glu sorption probably due to its higher hydrophobic character, which makes the sorption more difficult in comparison with sorption of Asp at higher temperature.

Chemical, structural, and thermal properties of Zn(II)-Cr(III) layered double hydroxides intercalated with sulfated and sulfonated surfactants.

Zn(II)-Cr(III)-LDHs (layered double hydroxides) containing sulfated or sulfonated surfactants as the interlamellar anion were synthesized by the coprecipitation method. The syntheses were conducted under various different experimental conditions, such as the Zn : Cr ratio, pH, and aging time. In each of the prepared materials, unlike previously reported data, the interlayer anion arrangement did not change, being consistent with a perpendicular monolayer. The thermal decomposition process of the prepared materials was studied by a set of analysis methods, such as TG/DTA, TG/MS, PXRD, and FT-IR. From the results obtained it was possible to conclude that, in an air atmosphere, the anions decomposed by a partial combustion, leading to the formation of sulfide. The results also showed that sulfonated surfactants containing LDHs are much more stable than those containing sulfated surfactants. A mechanism was proposed for the thermal decomposition of such LDHs based on the experimental results.