Biodegradable Tubes Based on Beeswax and Cashew Nut Wastes: An Eco-Friendly Solution for Seedling Production

Biodegradable Tubes Based on Beeswax and Cashew Nut Wastes: An Eco-Friendly Solution for Seedling Production

The production of forestry and agricultural seedlings is commonly carried out in polypropylene tubes, raw material from the petrochemical industry. Besides being derived from non-renewable resources, they are not biodegradable and have a long life cycle which may cause a significant environmental im...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Waste and biomass valorization Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 697 - 707
Main Authors: de Paula, Yara Lemos, de Melo, Rafael Rodolfo, Paula, Edgley Alves de Oliveira, de Morais, Elis Regina Costa, Rodolfo Junior, Francisco, Pimenta, Alexandre Santos, de Oliveira, Ramona Rodrigues Amaro, de Souza, Joana Alice Galdino, Scatolino, Maria Vanoli, Pedrosa, Talita Dantas
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-02-2024
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Agricultural wastes
Anacardiaceae
Beeswax
Biodegradability
Biodegradable materials
Biodegradation
Bulk density
Engineering
Environment
Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology
Environmental impact
Food processing
Forestry
Industrial Pollution Prevention
Industrial wastes
Life cycles
Mechanical stimuli
Modulus of elasticity
Nonrenewable resources
Nuts
Original Paper
Petrochemicals
Petrochemicals industry
Polypropylene
Raw materials
Renewable and Green Energy
Renewable resources
Seedlings
Sustainable yield
Tubes
Waste Management/Waste Technology
Water absorption
Agroindustrial wastes
Circle economy
Seedlings production
Sustainable development
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Summary:The production of forestry and agricultural seedlings is commonly carried out in polypropylene tubes, raw material from the petrochemical industry. Besides being derived from non-renewable resources, they are not biodegradable and have a long life cycle which may cause a significant environmental impact when disposed of in nature. Forest and agro-industrial wastes, which also apply to this use, are renewable, easily obtainable, and biodegradable materials. This work aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using cashew nut shell wastes associated with beeswax for the manufacture of biodegradable tubes. After roasting cashew nuts, the tubes were manufactured with different proportions of beeswax and nut shells. The average values observed for the bulk density of the biodegradable tubes varied between 0.83 and 1.00 g cm −3 for the different treatments evaluated. Tubes with 50% cashew nut achieved 8% and 4.5% for water absorption and swelling after 48 h, respectively. The modulus of elasticity reached a maximum of 19 MPa for 10% addition of cashew nut shell, while 50% of the waste reached a maximum of 15 MPa, which favors the rupture of the material by the developing roots. Concerning seedling indicators and compared to conventional polypropylene tubes, the alternative tubes presented a similar quality and lower deformation when exposed to mechanical stimulation. Studies of this type may serve as an incentive for improved field cultivation conditions, especially when combined with the principles of materials to be used in the not-so-distant future. Graphical Abstract
ISSN:1877-2641
1877-265X
DOI:10.1007/s12649-023-02194-5