Renewable whey-based hydrogel with polysaccharides and polyvinyl alcohol as a soil amendment for sustainable agricultural application.

This work describes the preparation of a novel biopolymer hydrogel based on acid whey, cellulose derivatives and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The hydrogel was prepared and characterized with the aim of producing an environmentally-friendly soil amendment to increase water retention capacity of the soil. The findings showed considerable swelling properties of the hydrogels depending on the PVA content and crosslinking density.

Design and Fabrication of Electrospun PLA-Based Silica-Modified Composite Nanofibers with Antibacterial Properties for Perspective Wound Treatment.

The aim of this study was to develop a novel amikacin (AMI) delivery system with prolonged release based on composite electrospun nanofibers of PLA supplemented with AMI-loaded Si nanoparticles of different morphology. The resultant materials were characterized in terms of their physical properties (scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, water contact angle). High-Performance Liquid Chromatography was used to determine the AMI content in the liquid fractions obtained from the release study.

Renewable Poly(Lactic Acid)Lignocellulose Biocomposites for the Enhancement of the Water Retention Capacity of the Soil.

This manuscript details the preparation and characterization of a renewable biocomposite material intended as a soil conditioner based on low-molecular-weight poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and residual biomass (wheat straw and wood sawdust). The swelling properties and biodegradability of the PLA-lignocellulose composite under environmental conditions were evaluated as indicators of its potential for applications in soil. Its mechanical and structural properties were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Eco-friendly whey/polysaccharide-based hydrogel with poly(lactic acid) for improvement of agricultural soil quality and plant growth.

A set of renewable and biodegradable hydrogels based on acid whey and cellulose derivatives blended with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were designed as eco-friendly biopolymeric material for sustainable agricultural applications. The physico-chemical properties of the hydrogel were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and rheological measurements. The effect of the whey/polysaccharide/PLA hydrogel on soil quality improvement (water retention study, biodegradability, loading capacity and release of the fertilizers) and the growth pattern of Raphanus sativus and Phaseolus vulgaris has been also studied.

Biopolymer Hydrogel Based on Acid Whey and Cellulose Derivatives for Enhancement Water Retention Capacity of Soil and Slow Release of Fertilizers.

This study describes the development of a renewable and biodegradable biopolymer-based hydrogel for application in agriculture and horticulture as a soil conditioning agent and for release of a nutrient or fertilizer. The novel product is based on a combination of cellulose derivatives (carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose) cross-linked with citric acid, as tested at various concentrations, with acid whey as a medium for hydrogel synthesis in order to utilize the almost unusable by-product of the dairy industry. The water uptake of the hydrogel was evaluated by swelling tests under variations in pH, temperature and ion concentration.