PECTIN-BASED HYDROGEL FOR COPPER MICRONUTRIENT RELEASE

Abstract

In this study, we focus on addressing the deficiency of an essential micronutrient in soil, namely copper (Cu), using biopolymer-based superabsorbent hydrogel. The novel hydrogel based on Pectin, poly (sodium methacrylate) (PSMA) and carboxymethyl tamarind kernel gum (CMTKG) was synthesized, and ex-situ Cu loading was carried out. The hydrogels were characterized using FTIR, SEM, and TGA techniques. The swelling of Cu-loaded Pectin/PSMA/CMTKG hydrogel was studied in distilled water, 0.9 % NaCl, pH 4, 9, and 12 solutions. The highest swelling was noticed for distilled water at 235.86 g/g. Moreover, the maximum water holding capacity of the hydrogel was observed as 57%. The initial release of Cu in soil was 26.44% in 5 days, compared to 61.17% in water within 30 hr. The kinetic studies revealed that the Cu release data from followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The Cu-loaded Pectin/PSMA/CMTKG hydrogel showed an increase in the germination of the number of seeds and the height of tomato plants in comparison to the control soil. Hence, the Cu-loaded Pectin/PSMA/CMTKG hydrogel exhibited a potential for controlled release of Cu in soil.