Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia
https://revistapolimeros.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/0104-1428.20250053
Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia
Original Article

Exploring urea and cross-linkers in alginate films for agricultural seedlings

Nivaldo Ramos Júnior; Ana Paula Testa Pezzin; Denise Abatti Kasper Silva

Downloads: 0
Views: 4

Abstract

Replacing petroleum-based packaging with biodegradable materials encourages the development of polymers from renewable sources such as sodium alginate, which is biodegradable and abundant in brown algae. The goal of this study was to promote sustainable seedling packaging practices by producing sodium alginate films enriched with urea and glycerol as plasticizers, which were then cross-linked with calcium, fumaric acid, or adipic acid. In this study, both 27 wt% urea and 10 wt% glycerol was used, and the alginate films were prepared by casting with 3 or 10 wt% cross-linker. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that films containing urea exhibited greater thermal stability. FT-IR spectroscopy revealed the formation of partial cross-links between alginate and the cross-linkers, which improved the mechanical and viscoelastic properties. Films cross-linked with calcium ions suggesting that urea does not significantly alter alginate, but contributes to film rigidity, which limits their application for the intended purpose.

 

 

Keywords

biodegradable polymer, sodium alginate, cross-linkers

References

1 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – FAO. (2021). Assessment of agricultural plastics and their sustainability: a call for action. Rome: FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7856en.

2 Wawszczak, A., Kocki, J., & Kołodyńska, D. (2024). Alginate as a sustainable and biodegradable material for medical and environmental applications: the case studies. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part B, Applied Biomaterials, 112(9), e35475. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.35475. PMid:39269132.

3 Rahman, M. M., Shahid, M. A., Hossain, M. T., Sheikh, M. S., Rahman, M. S., Uddin, N., Rahim, A., Khan, R. A., & Hossain, I. (2024). Sources, extractions, and applications of alginate: a review. Discover Applied Sciences, 6(8), 443. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-024-06151-2.

4 Qamar, S. A., Qamar, M., Basharat, A., Bilal, M., Cheng, H., & Iqbal, H. M. N. (2022). Alginate-based nano-adsorbent materials: bioinspired solution to mitigate hazardous environmental pollutants. Chemosphere, 288(Pt 3), 132618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132618. PMid:34678347.

5 Benettayeb, A., Guibal, E., Morsli, A., & Kessas, R. (2017). Chemical modification of alginate for enhanced sorption of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II). Chemical Engineering Journal, 316, 704-714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.01.131.

6 Llive, L. M., Perullini, M., Santagapita, P. R., Schneider-Teixeira, A., & Deladino, L. (2020). Controlled release of fertilizers from Ca(II)-alginate matrix modified by yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) waste. European Polymer Journal, 138, 109955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.109955.

7 Lüdke, J. V. (1993). Efeito da inclusão de ácido fumárico em rações com dois níveis de derivados lácteos sobre o desempenho de leitões desmamados aos 23 dias de idade (Master’s dissertation). Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre.

8 Fujimoto, M. C. M. (2018). Modelagem e simulação de biorreator para produção de ácido fumárico (Undergraduate thesis). Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos. Retrieved in 2025, August 30, from https://repositorio.ufscar.br/handle/20.500.14289/15023

9 Ilica, R.-A., Kloetzer, L., Galaction, A.-I., & Caşcaval, D. (2019). Fumaric acid: production and separation. Biotechnology Letters, 41(1), 47-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-018-2628-y. PMid:30506453.

10 Sivashankari, P. R., & Prabaharan, M. (2017) Deacetylation modification techniques of chitin and chitosan. In J. A. Jennings, & J. D. Bumgardner (Eds.), Chitosan based biomaterials (pp. 117-133). Amsterdam: Woodhead Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100230-8.00005-4.

11 van der Merwe, R. T., Goosen, N. J., & Pott, R. W. M. (2022). Macroalgal-derived alginate soil amendments for water retention, nutrient release rate reduction, and soil pH control. Gels, 8(9), 548. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels8090548. PMid:36135260.

12 Tan, J., Luo, Y., Guo, Y., Zhou, Y., Liao, X., Li, D., Lai, X., & Liu, Y. (2023). Development of alginate-based hydrogels: cross-linking strategies and biomedical applications. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 239, 124275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124275. PMid:37011751.

13 Maity, C., & Das, N. (2021). Alginate-based smart materials and their application: recent advances and perspectives. Topics in Current Chemistry (Cham), 380(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-021-00360-8. PMid:34812965.

14 Gebresas, G. A., Szabó, T., & Kálmán Marossy, K. (2023). A comparative study of carboxylic acids on the cross-linking potential of corn starch films. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1277, 134886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134886.

15 Coma, V., Sebti, I., Pardon, P., Pichavant, F. H., & Deschamps, A. (2003). Film properties from crosslinking of cellulosic derivatives with a polyfunctional carboxylic acid. Carbohydrate Polymers, 51(3), 265-271. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8617(02)00191-1.

16 Brioude, M. M., Guimarães, D. H., Fiúza, R. P., Prado, L. A. S. A., Boaventura, J. S., & José, M. N. (2007). Synthesis and characterization of aliphatic polyesters from glycerol, by-product of biodiesel production, and adipic acid. Materials Research, 10(4), 335-339. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-14392007000400003.

17 Sigma-Aldrich. (2023). Ficha de dados de segurança: ácido adípico. Retrieved in 2025, August 30, from https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/BR/pt/sds/sigma/a26357?userType=anonymous

18 Yang, S. T., Zhang, K., Zhang, B., & Huang, H. (2011). Fumaric acid. In: M. Moo-Young (Ed), Comprehensive biotechnology (pp. 163-177). Oxford: Pergamon. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-088504-9.00456-6.

19 Wodtke, M. E. F., Apati, G. P., & Silva, D. A. K. (2023). Produção e caracterização de filmes à base de alginato visando à aplicação na área ambiental. Caderno de Iniciação à Pesquisa, 25, 168-174. Retrieved in 2025, August 30, from https://www.univille.edu.br/account/pesquisa/VirtualDisk.html/downloadDirect/3539631/Caderno_de_Iniciacao_a_Pesquisa_Cientifica_PIBIC_2023_-_Volume_25.pdf

20 Leal, D., Matsuhiro, B., Rossi, M., & Caruso, F. (2008). FT-IR spectra of alginic acid block fractions in three species of brown seaweeds. Carbohydrate Research, 343(2), 308-316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carres.2007.10.016. PMid:18048014.

21 Custódio, A. C., Ribeiro, R. P. S., Lima, T. B. S. L., Araújo, E. S., & Araújo, P. L. B. (2022). Purificação simplificada do rejeito de glicerina bruta da produção de biodiesel da biorrefinaria Berso-UFPE: uma prática sustentável. Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física, 15(5), 2226-2237. https://doi.org/10.26848/rbgf.v15.5.p2226-2237.

22 Draget, K. I., Smidsrød, O., & Skjåk-Bræk, G. (2005). Alginates from algae. In A. Steinbüchel (Ed.), Biopolymers online. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. https://doi.org/10.1002/3527600035.bpol6008.

23 Manivannan, M., & Rajendran, S. (2011). Investigation of inhibitive action of urea-Zn2+ system in the corrosion control of carbon steel in sea water. International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 3(11), 8048-8060. Retrieved in 2025, August 30, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267782937_Investigation_of_inhibitive_action_of_urea-Zn2_system_in_the_corrosion_control_of_carbon_steel_in_sea_water

24 Piasek, Z., & Urbanski, T. (1962). The infrared absorption spectrum and the structure of urea. Bulletin de l’Académie Polonaise des Sciences. Série des Sciences Chimiques, 10, 113-120.

25 Fransiska, D., Abdullah, A. H. D., Nurhayati, Irianto, H. E., Nissa, R. C., Sedayu, B. B., Syamani, F. A., Raharjo, S., Suwarti, & Agusman, (2024). Impact of agar–glycerol ratios on the physicochemical properties of biodegradable seaweed films: A compositional study. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 280(Pt 3), 135855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135855. PMid:39317277.

26 Fan, Y., Xu, J., Gao, X., Fu, X., & Yang, X. (2019). Effect of alginate on the release of amide nitrogen for soilless cultivation applications. Scientia Horticulturae, 256, 108545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2019.108545.

27 Escobar-Avello, D., Ferrer, V., Bravo-Arrepol, G., Reyes-Contreras, P., Elissetche, J. P., Santos, J., Fuentealba, C., & Cabrera-Barjas, G. (2023). Pretreated Eucalyptus globulus and Pinus radiata barks: potential substrates to improve seed germination for a sustainable horticulture. Forests, 14(5), 991. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14050991.

28 Marangoni, L., Jr., Rodrigues, P. R., Silva, R. G., Vieira, R. P., & Alves, R. M. V. (2021). Sustainable packaging films composed of sodium alginate and hydrolyzed collagen: preparation and characterization. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 14(12), 2336-2346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-021-02727-7.

29 Larosa, C., Salerno, M., Lima, J. S., Meri, R. M., Silva, M. F., Carvalho, L. B., & Converti, A. (2018). Characterisation of bare and tannase-loaded calcium alginate beads by microscopic, thermogravimetric, FTIR and XRD analyses. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 115, 900-906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.04.138. PMid:29704606.

30 Pratinthong, K., Punyodom, W., Jantrawut, P., Jantanasakulwong, K., Tongdeesoontorn, W., Sriyai, M., Panyathip, R., Thanakkasaranee, S., Worajittiphon, P., Tanadchangsaeng, N., & Rachtanapun, P. (2024). Modification of a carboxymethyl cellulose/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel film with citric acid and glutaraldehyde crosslink agents to enhance the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of triamcinolone acetonide in wound healing. Polymers, 16(13), 1798. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16131798. PMid:39000654.

31 Hou, L., & Wu, P. (2019). Exploring the hydrogen-bond structures in sodium alginate through two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy. Carbohydrate Polymers, 205, 420-426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.10.091. PMid:30446124.

32 Santana, M. C. C. B. (2012). Formulação, caracterização e eficácia antioxidante de filmes biodegradáveis ativos a base de quitosana, glicerol e aditivos naturais (Master’s dissertation). Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador.

33 Wang, B., Wan, Y., Zheng, Y., Lee, X., Liu, T., Yu, Z., Huang, J., Ok, Y. S., Chen, J., & Gao, B. (2018). Alginate-based composites for environmental applications: a critical review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 49(4), 318-356. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2018.1547621. PMid:34121831.

34 Turbiani, F. R. B., Kieckbusch, T. G., & Gimenes, M. L. (2011). Release of calcium benzoate from films of sodium alginate cross-linked with calcium ions. Polímeros Ciência e Tecnologia, 21(3), 175-181. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-14282011005000034.

35 Cacuro, T. A. (2019). Compósitos de alginato como material inteligente, modulação de solubilidade e objeto de ensino (Doctoral thesis). Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos. Retrieved in 2025, August 30, from https://repositorio.ufscar.br/handle/20.500.14289/12093

36 Lorandi, N. P. A., Cioffi, M. O. H., & Ornaghi, H., Jr. (2016). Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) of polymeric composite materials. Scientia Cum Industria, 4(1), 48-60. https://doi.org/10.18226/23185279.v4iss1p48.

37 Moura, M. F. S., Morais, A. B., & Magalhães, A. G. (2005). Materiais compósitos: materiais, fabrico e comportamento mecânico. Porto: Publindústria.

38 Lucena, C. A. A., Costa, S. C., Eleamen, G. R. A., Mendonça, E. A. M., & Oliveira, E. E. (2017). Desenvolvimento de biofilmes à base de xilana e xilana/gelatina para produção de embalagens biodegradáveis. Polímeros, 27(spe), 35-41. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.2223.

39 Fernandes, A. S., Cardoso, J. C. O., Gomes, J. N., & Ascheri, D. P. R. (2019). Elaboração e caracterização de filmes biodegradáveis de amido de Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill e glicerol. Fronteira: Journal of Social, Technological and Environmental Science, 8(1), 362-378. https://doi.org/10.21664/2238-8869.2019v8i1.p362-378.
 

69df80d9a9539506ba267482 polimeros Articles
Links & Downloads

Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia

Share this page
Page Sections