A large amount of agricultural water in the U.S. and worldwide is polluted by different types of contaminants discharged by various agricultural operations. Chemicals applied for plant growth, such as auxin, can be entrapped by materials made from abundant, low cost polysaccharides. Controlled release of these compounds is a feasible approach to deal with rapid chemical run-off problems. In this research, a series of bi-polysaccharide beads from alginate combined with other natural polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, starch, xylan, were synthesized. Kaolin and polyelectrolyte were incorporated into the bead system for improved mechanical properties and enhanced entrapment capacity as well as controlled release rate of auxin from the beads. The average diameters and size distribution of beads were assessed by optical microscopy and differences in morphology observed by scanning electron microscopy.

Polymeric functionalized beads from alginate for targeted release of auxin into water

249th National Meeting (2015)

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