Production of Biodegradable Polymeric Composites with the Addition of Waste.

Several solutions have been presented to minimize the environmental impact generated by polymers produced from petroleum resources. This work produced a biopolymer using glycerol, starch (<5) and macaúba epicarp fiber (10-15-20-25-30%) as reinforcement. The interaction of glycerol with starch was favored by the addition of acetic acid (CH3COOH). The pH was adjusted with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at a concentration of 0.1 mol·L-1. The characterization was carried out through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared reflectance-FTIR, water solubility, biodegradability and technological properties. Through the results obtained in this work, it is observed that the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity are influenced by the addition of the fiber concentration; the sample that received a 30% addition presented 19.17 MPa and 348.12 MPa, respectively. All samples showed low solubility in water and low density, in addition to a high rate of degradability in soil with mass loss corresponding to 59% over a period of three months. The results of this investigation are satisfactory for the production of materials that can be used in everyday life, replacing conventional plastic.

Biofortification of Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Crops Applying Zinc Sulfate and Ferric Sulfate: Pilot Crop in Colombia.

Agriculture is one of the economic activities with the most potential in Colombia, given its climatic and geographical conditions. Bean cultivation is classified as climbing, which grows in a branched way, and bushy, whose growth occurs up to 70 cm. The objective of this research was to study zinc and iron sulfates in different concentrations as fertilizers capable of increasing the nutritional value of kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), whose strategy is known as biofortification, and thus determine the most effective sulfate. The methodology details the sulfate formulations, their preparation, the application of additives, sampling and quantification methods of total iron, total zinc, °Brix, carotenoids, chlorophylls a, b, and antioxidant capacity using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method in leaves and pods. As for the results, it was found that biofortification with iron sulfate and zinc sulfate is a strategy that favors the country's economy and human health, because it allows the increase of minerals, antioxidant capacity and total soluble solids.

Influence of Sintering on Thermal, Mechanical and Technological Properties of Glass Foams Produced from Agro-Industrial Residues.

This study investigates the technological, thermal, mechanical, and technological properties of glass foams produced with soda-lime glass residues and rice husk ash sintered at 850-950 °C. The results for apparent density (0.28-0.30 g/cm3), porosity (82-87 ± 4%), compressive strength (1.18 ± 0.03-1.25 ± 0.03 MPa), and thermal conductivity (0.283-0.326 W/mK) are within the limits for commercial foams. The volumetric expansion potential and low thermal conductivity of the glass foams produced favor their use as thermal insulating materials in coat walls, thus improving thermal comfort in the construction sector. The results of X-ray fluorescence show that the foam glass is of the soda-lime type (SiO2, Na2O, and CaO), the rice husk ash is rich in SiO2, CaO, Na2O, Al2O3, K2O and Fe2O3, and the calcium carbonate is rich in CaO. The glass foams produced in this study are promising because they present more economical and efficient manufacturing, resulting in lightweight materials with thermal insulating properties that can be used in the construction sector. These glass foams also reduce the consumption of natural and synthetic raw materials, adding value to the waste used in this study by transforming them into co-products, thus favoring the economic circulation of the region.