This document discusses bioplastic pots made from zein, a protein from corn. Zein pots fully biodegrade in soil within a few months when filled with organic potting substrates. However, plants grown in zein pots showed stunted growth. Experiments found that as zein pots biodegrade, they raise ammonium, EC, and pH levels in the substrate, which can delay root growth. Reformulating zein pots to reduce the protein content or slow degradation may help address this issue. Overall, zein-based bioplastic pots show potential as a compostable alternative to traditional plastic pots.
This a presentation based on hermetic bag liner research from Cristine Ignacio and Dirk Maier of Iowa State University. Ignacio and Maier are researching the factors that influence the effectiveness of hermetic bag liners in achieving and maintaining a low-oxygen environment and preserving grain. The implications of this work include developing standards for hermetic storage bags, understanding the engineering properties of commonly used hermetic bags, and developing a basis for how many times a hermetic bag could be reused before losing structural and hermetic integrity. This presentation was given at the 2nd All-Africa Post-Harvest Congress and Exhibition in Addis Ababa and is being distributed on the SlideShare account of the Consortium for Innovation in Post-Harvest Loss and Food Waste Reduction. Iowa State University is a member of the Consortium.
Tomato processing Profitable Food Processing Business IdeaDr. Ganesh Shelke
This document discusses starting a tomato processing business in India. It begins by defining food processing as transforming raw ingredients into food through physical or chemical means. Processing foods provides advantages like making foods available out of season and preventing spoilage. The document then focuses on tomato processing, noting tomatoes are widely used in products like juice, ketchup, and sauce. It discusses the market potential for tomato processing in India. The document outlines the manufacturing process, required licenses and permits, quality specifications, financing, and machinery needed for a tomato processing business. It provides costs for starting the project and means of obtaining financing.
Vanilla is derived from vanilla orchids, which are the only edible fruit-bearing orchid. The lengthy process of producing vanilla from the orchid pods involves manual pollination of the flowers, harvesting of young green pods, and subjecting the pods to sweating and curing over several months to produce the familiar brown pods containing vanilla flavoring. Attempts to cultivate vanilla outside of its native range proved difficult due to its symbiotic relationship with specific bee and fungal species required for pollination and germination.
Banana Leaf Plate Manufacturing: The Making of By-Product of Banana Tree, Gre...Ajjay Kumar Gupta
Banana leaves have a wide range of applications because they are large, flexible, waterproof and decorative. They are used for cooking, wrapping and food-serving in a wide range of cuisines in tropical and subtropical areas. They are used for decorative and symbolic purposes in numerous Hindu and Buddhist ceremonies. In traditional home building in tropical areas, roofs and fences are made with dry banana-leaf thatch. Banana and palm leaves were historically the primary writing surfaces in many nations of South and Southeast Asia.
Banana leaf plates is best described as a revolutionary Disposable cutlery and containers are products that are a part of our day to day life. Disposable items like cups, plates, saucers are being increasingly used. Such disposable items are made with natural materials like leaf as well as man made products like paper, plastics. Leaf cups, plates have greater hygiene value.
See more
https://goo.gl/ssh9GN
Contact us:
Niir Project Consultancy Services
106-E, Kamla Nagar, Opp. Spark Mall,
New Delhi-110007, India.
Email: npcs.ei@gmail.com , info@entrepreneurindia.co
Tel: +91-11-23843955, 23845654, 23845886, 8800733955
Mobile: +91-9811043595
Website: www.entrepreneurindia.co , www.niir.org
Tags
Leaf Plate Making, Banana Leaves – Thali, Making of Banana Leaf Plates, Disposable Leaf Plates, How to Make Banana Leaf Plates, Best Low Cost Business Ideas, Small Business Ideas that are Easy to Start, Low Cost Business Ideas, Simple Low Cost Business Ideas, Top Small Business Ideas Low Invest Big Profit in India Smart Business Ideas, Very Low Budget Best Business Ideas, Low Investment High Profit Business, Small Business Ideas to Make Money, Top Profitable Small Business Ideas in India, Best Business Ideas for Rural Areas in India & World Top Best Small Business Idea, Invest Low, Top Best Small Business Ideas for Beginners 2017, Small Business But Big Profit in India, Profitable Small Business Ideas with Small Investment, Best Home Based Business Ideas, Best Part Time Business Ideas to Start New Business, Best Ideas for Low Budget Business and More Profits, Business Ideas With Low Investment, How to Get Rich?, Low Cost Small Business Ideas for India, Best Small Business Ideas in India to Start Business, 100% Risk Free Business, Top Best Small Business Ideas for Women in 2017, Low-Cost Business Ideas for Introverts, Low Budget Best Small Business Idea for Self Employment, Low Cost Business Ideas with High Profit, Most Profitable Business Ideas with Low Investment, Easy Simple Best Unique Low Cost Small Investment, Start up Business Ideas, What is Low Cost Business to Start?, Start Small Business, Low Investment Manufacturing Business in India, Low Cost Small Business Ideas that Actually Work, Secret to Making Money by Starting Small Business, Small Business Ideas with Small Capital, How to Start Business in India
Composite containers are made from more than one material like paper, boards, and metal or plastic ends. This enhances properties and minimizes weaknesses. There are different types of composite containers manufactured using convolute, spiral, or linear draw methods. Composite containers have advantages like being lighter, stronger, and more impact resistant than metal alternatives. They also have better environmental properties. Composite containers are widely used for food, pharmaceutical, and industrial products.
This document discusses various methods for drying paddy rice after harvest. It begins by explaining why drying is important to prevent quality deterioration and allow for longer term storage. Improper drying can lead to mold, discoloration, and reduced milling yields. Traditional drying methods like sun, panicle, and mat drying are described along with their disadvantages. Mechanical drying systems like batch, continuous flow dryers and low-temperature drying are presented in more detail. Key parameters for drying like air temperature, velocity and moisture gradients are outlined. Drying strategies involving on-farm, centralized and two-stage drying are proposed to optimize quality and efficiency.
canning+principle+objective of canning+Father of canning+syrup canning+Brine canning+steps in Canning+
This presentation for my food science and technology appearing friends,for their better understanding about this topic.
Post harvest management of ginger and turmericChanbichingtham
post harvest practice is very important for the extension of shelf life and quality of the crops. These practices are generally not followed by common people. This presentation views to enlighten the knowledge of post harvest treatments to be followed.
This a presentation based on hermetic bag liner research from Cristine Ignacio and Dirk Maier of Iowa State University. Ignacio and Maier are researching the factors that influence the effectiveness of hermetic bag liners in achieving and maintaining a low-oxygen environment and preserving grain. The implications of this work include developing standards for hermetic storage bags, understanding the engineering properties of commonly used hermetic bags, and developing a basis for how many times a hermetic bag could be reused before losing structural and hermetic integrity. This presentation was given at the 2nd All-Africa Post-Harvest Congress and Exhibition in Addis Ababa and is being distributed on the SlideShare account of the Consortium for Innovation in Post-Harvest Loss and Food Waste Reduction. Iowa State University is a member of the Consortium.
Tomato processing Profitable Food Processing Business IdeaDr. Ganesh Shelke
This document discusses starting a tomato processing business in India. It begins by defining food processing as transforming raw ingredients into food through physical or chemical means. Processing foods provides advantages like making foods available out of season and preventing spoilage. The document then focuses on tomato processing, noting tomatoes are widely used in products like juice, ketchup, and sauce. It discusses the market potential for tomato processing in India. The document outlines the manufacturing process, required licenses and permits, quality specifications, financing, and machinery needed for a tomato processing business. It provides costs for starting the project and means of obtaining financing.
Vanilla is derived from vanilla orchids, which are the only edible fruit-bearing orchid. The lengthy process of producing vanilla from the orchid pods involves manual pollination of the flowers, harvesting of young green pods, and subjecting the pods to sweating and curing over several months to produce the familiar brown pods containing vanilla flavoring. Attempts to cultivate vanilla outside of its native range proved difficult due to its symbiotic relationship with specific bee and fungal species required for pollination and germination.
Banana Leaf Plate Manufacturing: The Making of By-Product of Banana Tree, Gre...Ajjay Kumar Gupta
Banana leaves have a wide range of applications because they are large, flexible, waterproof and decorative. They are used for cooking, wrapping and food-serving in a wide range of cuisines in tropical and subtropical areas. They are used for decorative and symbolic purposes in numerous Hindu and Buddhist ceremonies. In traditional home building in tropical areas, roofs and fences are made with dry banana-leaf thatch. Banana and palm leaves were historically the primary writing surfaces in many nations of South and Southeast Asia.
Banana leaf plates is best described as a revolutionary Disposable cutlery and containers are products that are a part of our day to day life. Disposable items like cups, plates, saucers are being increasingly used. Such disposable items are made with natural materials like leaf as well as man made products like paper, plastics. Leaf cups, plates have greater hygiene value.
See more
https://goo.gl/ssh9GN
Contact us:
Niir Project Consultancy Services
106-E, Kamla Nagar, Opp. Spark Mall,
New Delhi-110007, India.
Email: npcs.ei@gmail.com , info@entrepreneurindia.co
Tel: +91-11-23843955, 23845654, 23845886, 8800733955
Mobile: +91-9811043595
Website: www.entrepreneurindia.co , www.niir.org
Tags
Leaf Plate Making, Banana Leaves – Thali, Making of Banana Leaf Plates, Disposable Leaf Plates, How to Make Banana Leaf Plates, Best Low Cost Business Ideas, Small Business Ideas that are Easy to Start, Low Cost Business Ideas, Simple Low Cost Business Ideas, Top Small Business Ideas Low Invest Big Profit in India Smart Business Ideas, Very Low Budget Best Business Ideas, Low Investment High Profit Business, Small Business Ideas to Make Money, Top Profitable Small Business Ideas in India, Best Business Ideas for Rural Areas in India & World Top Best Small Business Idea, Invest Low, Top Best Small Business Ideas for Beginners 2017, Small Business But Big Profit in India, Profitable Small Business Ideas with Small Investment, Best Home Based Business Ideas, Best Part Time Business Ideas to Start New Business, Best Ideas for Low Budget Business and More Profits, Business Ideas With Low Investment, How to Get Rich?, Low Cost Small Business Ideas for India, Best Small Business Ideas in India to Start Business, 100% Risk Free Business, Top Best Small Business Ideas for Women in 2017, Low-Cost Business Ideas for Introverts, Low Budget Best Small Business Idea for Self Employment, Low Cost Business Ideas with High Profit, Most Profitable Business Ideas with Low Investment, Easy Simple Best Unique Low Cost Small Investment, Start up Business Ideas, What is Low Cost Business to Start?, Start Small Business, Low Investment Manufacturing Business in India, Low Cost Small Business Ideas that Actually Work, Secret to Making Money by Starting Small Business, Small Business Ideas with Small Capital, How to Start Business in India
Composite containers are made from more than one material like paper, boards, and metal or plastic ends. This enhances properties and minimizes weaknesses. There are different types of composite containers manufactured using convolute, spiral, or linear draw methods. Composite containers have advantages like being lighter, stronger, and more impact resistant than metal alternatives. They also have better environmental properties. Composite containers are widely used for food, pharmaceutical, and industrial products.
This document discusses various methods for drying paddy rice after harvest. It begins by explaining why drying is important to prevent quality deterioration and allow for longer term storage. Improper drying can lead to mold, discoloration, and reduced milling yields. Traditional drying methods like sun, panicle, and mat drying are described along with their disadvantages. Mechanical drying systems like batch, continuous flow dryers and low-temperature drying are presented in more detail. Key parameters for drying like air temperature, velocity and moisture gradients are outlined. Drying strategies involving on-farm, centralized and two-stage drying are proposed to optimize quality and efficiency.
canning+principle+objective of canning+Father of canning+syrup canning+Brine canning+steps in Canning+
This presentation for my food science and technology appearing friends,for their better understanding about this topic.
Post harvest management of ginger and turmericChanbichingtham
post harvest practice is very important for the extension of shelf life and quality of the crops. These practices are generally not followed by common people. This presentation views to enlighten the knowledge of post harvest treatments to be followed.
HYPOBARIC STORAGE AND IRRADIATION IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLESSANKETH ASHOK U
Hypobaric storage and irradiation are methods used to preserve fruits and vegetables. Hypobaric storage involves storing produce at reduced atmospheric pressure and low oxygen levels to decrease respiration and ethylene production, extending storage life. Irradiation exposes produce to ionizing radiation to disinfect and sterilize without adding chemicals, preserving nutrition while increasing quality and shelf life. Both methods significantly lengthen the storage periods of various fruits and vegetables compared to refrigeration alone.
The document discusses innovative food packaging technologies that can help reduce food waste. It begins by noting that 1/3 of the world's food production is wasted, costing $1000 billion annually. Packaging technologies like modified atmosphere packaging and controlled atmosphere packaging can help extend shelf life and freshness. The document then discusses active and intelligent packaging innovations, including oxygen scavengers, ethylene scavengers, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, time-temperature indicators, seal and leak indicators, and freshness indicators. It provides examples of antimicrobial, antioxidant active films and nanoactive films. The document concludes by discussing the potential of these innovative packaging technologies to reduce food waste and carbon footprints.
A presentation on Greenhouse Structures. Structures with walls and roofs covered with transparent material. Allows sunlight to enter for plant growth and maintenance. Artificially heated and cooled
This document discusses recycling and encourages playing recycling games to learn more about recycling. It explains that recycling reduces pollution by converting recyclable materials like paper, plastic, glass and metal into new objects. It provides interactive games where the user drags materials like newspapers, plastic bottles and aluminum cans to the correct recycling bins. It also shares facts about how long different materials take to decompose in landfills and that most plastic waste is not recycled. The conclusion encourages starting a plastic recycling center with friends to protect the environment through small collective actions.
Rainbow Exports is a Spices and Oil seeds Exporting Company. The attached PPT will give better idea about the position about the sesame seeds in Indian Market.
Training, pruning, and ratooning are important cultivation practices for vegetable crops. Training controls plant shape and facilitates sunlight exposure and pest control. Pruning removes unproductive parts to focus growth. Ratooning allows regrowth from plant remains for additional harvests. Specific techniques include staking tomatoes, pruning multiple stems in capsicum, and pruning bitter gourd laterals to improve yields. Regular training, pruning, and ratooning can increase vegetable crop productivity and profits for farmers.
This document discusses methods for preserving grain quality and extending shelf life. It begins by outlining the major factors that affect grain quality, including moisture content, temperature, insects, fungi, and more. Next, it describes various preventative treatments for grain storage such as cleaning, drying, cooling, fumigation with chemicals like phosphine, and controlled atmosphere storage. It provides details on common grain pests and recommended dosages for fumigating different types of grains. The document emphasizes the importance of careful fumigation to eliminate pests while maintaining grain quality.
The document discusses post-harvest handling of various vegetables. It covers harvesting maturity, harvesting methods, post-harvest operations like cleaning, sorting, grading, packaging and storage. It provides details for specific vegetables like bulb onions and garlic, leafy vegetables, tomatoes. Harvesting is done by hand or mechanically depending on the vegetable. Post-harvest operations aim to maintain quality and reduce losses during handling, transportation and storage.
M/S Patidar Corporation manufactures and markets metallized films for packaging applications. It has extensive lamination capabilities for metallized films with materials like paper, board, and plastic films. The company has the capacity to process 100 tons of foil per month. Metallized films are polymer films coated with a very thin layer of metal, usually aluminum, which provides a glossy metallic appearance at lower weight and cost than aluminum foil. Patidar Corporation offers various metallized film products for applications like packaging, insulation, and electronics. It provides laminated products using metallized films with materials like woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, paper, and various plastic films.
Processing of spices and plantation crops acharya ng ( pdf drive )arunkumar kumar
This document provides information about processing of spices and plantation crops. It discusses the history of spice production in India, value addition processes for spices like grinding and extraction of essential oils and oleoresins. Some common spices produced in India like black pepper, ginger and turmeric are described in terms of the value added products that can be made from them. The functions, nutritional importance and classification of spices are also summarized.
1. The document discusses different types of storage structures for agricultural produce from traditional to improved to modern.
2. Traditional structures include Bukharis, Morais, and Kothars made from materials like mud, bamboo, and wood. Improved structures add materials like bricks and cement for durability.
3. Modern structures include large warehouses, silos, and controlled atmosphere systems that allow for long-term storage of large volumes of grains through techniques like refrigeration.
This document provides guidelines for post-harvest handling of fresh fruits, vegetables, and root crops in Grenada. It discusses general post-harvest considerations like respiration and ethylene production rates that affect shelf life. The objective of post-harvest handling is to minimize both quantitative and qualitative losses that can occur during harvesting, packing, storage, transportation, and distribution to consumers. Proper post-harvest techniques are important for small farmers selling to local markets as well as those transporting produce longer distances. The document then covers harvesting methods, packaging, packinghouse operations, storage, and transportation specific to different crops commonly grown in Grenada.
Effective post harvest management of highly perishable horticultural crops rests on following appropriate primary processing protocols. But in the absence of appropriate and crop specific equipment it is not possible. This presentation explains various appropriate equipment developed for this purpose.......
The document discusses different types of closures and packaging materials used for food products. It describes threaded screw caps, lug caps, crown caps, roll-on closures, and heat seal bottle closures. Heat seal closures can be one-piece or two-piece liners and come in different styles like disc cut, tri-tab, lift 'n peel, and top tab designs. The closures are used to seal containers, prevent contamination, and allow resealing of food packages.
Packaging is important for every material which is to be saved for later. for crops, it is inevitable. so here are some of the basic and common ways the perishable crops like vegetables are packaged
Farmers must properly store crops after harvesting to prevent spoilage and pest damage that could reduce crop quality and sale price. Effective storage methods include drying crops completely before storing, using pest-resistant containers like metal bins with locks, and fumigating or spraying grains with pesticides to kill insects inside. Large-scale storage is done in granaries or silos, while smaller farmers can use jute bags or sealed metal containers for storage. Proper storage helps farmers maximize their income from crop sales.
Controlled atmosphere and modified atmosphere storageMaya Sharma
Controlled atmosphere (CA) and modified atmosphere (MA) storage techniques precisely control or modify the storage atmosphere gas composition to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. CA continuously controls gas levels throughout storage, while MA gas levels change dynamically depending on produce respiration and packaging permeability. Both lower oxygen and raise carbon dioxide levels compared to air, inhibiting spoilage and decay. Optimal gas concentrations vary by commodity and can benefit foods by delaying softening, toughening, browning and retaining quality attributes like flavor and chlorophyll. Deviations from optimum levels risk physiological disorders or susceptibility to decay. While effective, CA requires precise temperature control and different settings for each food, making it more expensive than MA which uses semipermeable
This document provides an overview of polymeric food packaging materials. It discusses the history and evolution of packaging from skins and leaves to modern materials. The key types of polymeric materials used in food packaging are described, including polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, polyesters, nylons, polystyrene, and polycarbonate. Properties, applications, and testing methods of these materials are summarized. The packaging industry is growing significantly with increasing global demand and consumption.
The document discusses plastic recycling techniques. It outlines different types of plastics and their applications. The life cycle of plastic is examined using a water bottle as an example. Key steps in the recycling process are collection, separation, and processing using techniques like manual sorting. Specific techniques for separating plastic mixtures are described, such as using an air table to separate PVC from PVC/PP mixtures. Recycling plastic saves energy and resources compared to producing new plastic from raw materials. The document concludes that recycling is important to reduce environmental impacts and plastic waste in landfills.
Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable fats and oils. They are biodegradable and break down through microbial action. Bioplastics production results in lower carbon dioxide emissions than traditional plastics. Common types include polylactic acid (PLA) and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). Bioplastics are used in packaging, catering products, automobile interiors, and gardening due to their biodegradability and environmental benefits compared to petroleum-based plastics. However, they still present challenges like not readily decomposing in all conditions and competing with food crop land.
Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable oils, corn starch, and pea starch rather than fossil fuels. They are designed to biodegrade and have less environmental impact than traditional plastics. Major types of bioplastics include PLA, PHA, and starch blends. While bioplastics reduce dependence on fossil fuels and hazardous waste, they remain more expensive than traditional plastics. Companies are working to lower costs and expand infrastructure to increase adoption of biodegradable alternatives.
HYPOBARIC STORAGE AND IRRADIATION IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLESSANKETH ASHOK U
Hypobaric storage and irradiation are methods used to preserve fruits and vegetables. Hypobaric storage involves storing produce at reduced atmospheric pressure and low oxygen levels to decrease respiration and ethylene production, extending storage life. Irradiation exposes produce to ionizing radiation to disinfect and sterilize without adding chemicals, preserving nutrition while increasing quality and shelf life. Both methods significantly lengthen the storage periods of various fruits and vegetables compared to refrigeration alone.
The document discusses innovative food packaging technologies that can help reduce food waste. It begins by noting that 1/3 of the world's food production is wasted, costing $1000 billion annually. Packaging technologies like modified atmosphere packaging and controlled atmosphere packaging can help extend shelf life and freshness. The document then discusses active and intelligent packaging innovations, including oxygen scavengers, ethylene scavengers, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, time-temperature indicators, seal and leak indicators, and freshness indicators. It provides examples of antimicrobial, antioxidant active films and nanoactive films. The document concludes by discussing the potential of these innovative packaging technologies to reduce food waste and carbon footprints.
A presentation on Greenhouse Structures. Structures with walls and roofs covered with transparent material. Allows sunlight to enter for plant growth and maintenance. Artificially heated and cooled
This document discusses recycling and encourages playing recycling games to learn more about recycling. It explains that recycling reduces pollution by converting recyclable materials like paper, plastic, glass and metal into new objects. It provides interactive games where the user drags materials like newspapers, plastic bottles and aluminum cans to the correct recycling bins. It also shares facts about how long different materials take to decompose in landfills and that most plastic waste is not recycled. The conclusion encourages starting a plastic recycling center with friends to protect the environment through small collective actions.
Rainbow Exports is a Spices and Oil seeds Exporting Company. The attached PPT will give better idea about the position about the sesame seeds in Indian Market.
Training, pruning, and ratooning are important cultivation practices for vegetable crops. Training controls plant shape and facilitates sunlight exposure and pest control. Pruning removes unproductive parts to focus growth. Ratooning allows regrowth from plant remains for additional harvests. Specific techniques include staking tomatoes, pruning multiple stems in capsicum, and pruning bitter gourd laterals to improve yields. Regular training, pruning, and ratooning can increase vegetable crop productivity and profits for farmers.
This document discusses methods for preserving grain quality and extending shelf life. It begins by outlining the major factors that affect grain quality, including moisture content, temperature, insects, fungi, and more. Next, it describes various preventative treatments for grain storage such as cleaning, drying, cooling, fumigation with chemicals like phosphine, and controlled atmosphere storage. It provides details on common grain pests and recommended dosages for fumigating different types of grains. The document emphasizes the importance of careful fumigation to eliminate pests while maintaining grain quality.
The document discusses post-harvest handling of various vegetables. It covers harvesting maturity, harvesting methods, post-harvest operations like cleaning, sorting, grading, packaging and storage. It provides details for specific vegetables like bulb onions and garlic, leafy vegetables, tomatoes. Harvesting is done by hand or mechanically depending on the vegetable. Post-harvest operations aim to maintain quality and reduce losses during handling, transportation and storage.
M/S Patidar Corporation manufactures and markets metallized films for packaging applications. It has extensive lamination capabilities for metallized films with materials like paper, board, and plastic films. The company has the capacity to process 100 tons of foil per month. Metallized films are polymer films coated with a very thin layer of metal, usually aluminum, which provides a glossy metallic appearance at lower weight and cost than aluminum foil. Patidar Corporation offers various metallized film products for applications like packaging, insulation, and electronics. It provides laminated products using metallized films with materials like woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, paper, and various plastic films.
Processing of spices and plantation crops acharya ng ( pdf drive )arunkumar kumar
This document provides information about processing of spices and plantation crops. It discusses the history of spice production in India, value addition processes for spices like grinding and extraction of essential oils and oleoresins. Some common spices produced in India like black pepper, ginger and turmeric are described in terms of the value added products that can be made from them. The functions, nutritional importance and classification of spices are also summarized.
1. The document discusses different types of storage structures for agricultural produce from traditional to improved to modern.
2. Traditional structures include Bukharis, Morais, and Kothars made from materials like mud, bamboo, and wood. Improved structures add materials like bricks and cement for durability.
3. Modern structures include large warehouses, silos, and controlled atmosphere systems that allow for long-term storage of large volumes of grains through techniques like refrigeration.
This document provides guidelines for post-harvest handling of fresh fruits, vegetables, and root crops in Grenada. It discusses general post-harvest considerations like respiration and ethylene production rates that affect shelf life. The objective of post-harvest handling is to minimize both quantitative and qualitative losses that can occur during harvesting, packing, storage, transportation, and distribution to consumers. Proper post-harvest techniques are important for small farmers selling to local markets as well as those transporting produce longer distances. The document then covers harvesting methods, packaging, packinghouse operations, storage, and transportation specific to different crops commonly grown in Grenada.
Effective post harvest management of highly perishable horticultural crops rests on following appropriate primary processing protocols. But in the absence of appropriate and crop specific equipment it is not possible. This presentation explains various appropriate equipment developed for this purpose.......
The document discusses different types of closures and packaging materials used for food products. It describes threaded screw caps, lug caps, crown caps, roll-on closures, and heat seal bottle closures. Heat seal closures can be one-piece or two-piece liners and come in different styles like disc cut, tri-tab, lift 'n peel, and top tab designs. The closures are used to seal containers, prevent contamination, and allow resealing of food packages.
Packaging is important for every material which is to be saved for later. for crops, it is inevitable. so here are some of the basic and common ways the perishable crops like vegetables are packaged
Farmers must properly store crops after harvesting to prevent spoilage and pest damage that could reduce crop quality and sale price. Effective storage methods include drying crops completely before storing, using pest-resistant containers like metal bins with locks, and fumigating or spraying grains with pesticides to kill insects inside. Large-scale storage is done in granaries or silos, while smaller farmers can use jute bags or sealed metal containers for storage. Proper storage helps farmers maximize their income from crop sales.
Controlled atmosphere and modified atmosphere storageMaya Sharma
Controlled atmosphere (CA) and modified atmosphere (MA) storage techniques precisely control or modify the storage atmosphere gas composition to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. CA continuously controls gas levels throughout storage, while MA gas levels change dynamically depending on produce respiration and packaging permeability. Both lower oxygen and raise carbon dioxide levels compared to air, inhibiting spoilage and decay. Optimal gas concentrations vary by commodity and can benefit foods by delaying softening, toughening, browning and retaining quality attributes like flavor and chlorophyll. Deviations from optimum levels risk physiological disorders or susceptibility to decay. While effective, CA requires precise temperature control and different settings for each food, making it more expensive than MA which uses semipermeable
This document provides an overview of polymeric food packaging materials. It discusses the history and evolution of packaging from skins and leaves to modern materials. The key types of polymeric materials used in food packaging are described, including polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, polyesters, nylons, polystyrene, and polycarbonate. Properties, applications, and testing methods of these materials are summarized. The packaging industry is growing significantly with increasing global demand and consumption.
The document discusses plastic recycling techniques. It outlines different types of plastics and their applications. The life cycle of plastic is examined using a water bottle as an example. Key steps in the recycling process are collection, separation, and processing using techniques like manual sorting. Specific techniques for separating plastic mixtures are described, such as using an air table to separate PVC from PVC/PP mixtures. Recycling plastic saves energy and resources compared to producing new plastic from raw materials. The document concludes that recycling is important to reduce environmental impacts and plastic waste in landfills.
Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable fats and oils. They are biodegradable and break down through microbial action. Bioplastics production results in lower carbon dioxide emissions than traditional plastics. Common types include polylactic acid (PLA) and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). Bioplastics are used in packaging, catering products, automobile interiors, and gardening due to their biodegradability and environmental benefits compared to petroleum-based plastics. However, they still present challenges like not readily decomposing in all conditions and competing with food crop land.
Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable oils, corn starch, and pea starch rather than fossil fuels. They are designed to biodegrade and have less environmental impact than traditional plastics. Major types of bioplastics include PLA, PHA, and starch blends. While bioplastics reduce dependence on fossil fuels and hazardous waste, they remain more expensive than traditional plastics. Companies are working to lower costs and expand infrastructure to increase adoption of biodegradable alternatives.
Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable plant sources such as corn starch, sugarcane, and soybeans. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional petroleum-based plastics because they produce fewer carbon emissions and are biodegradable. Bioplastics are manufactured by breaking down starch into lactic acid, which is then polymerized into polylactic acid plastic. Major applications of bioplastics discussed include packaging, catering products, gardening supplies, electronics casings, medical products, and sanitary items. Companies like Toyota are using bioplastics in auto parts and plan increased production to replace petroleum plastics.
Fundamentals of Green Plastics in Food TechnologyVikas Bansal
This document discusses various biodegradable materials that can be used for food packaging, including their properties and applications. It covers biopolymers like polylactic acid (PLA), starch polymers, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and proteins that are being used or have potential uses in food packaging applications like bags, foam trays, cups, and wraps. Starch-clay nanocomposites and foams are highlighted as promising materials due to their improved barrier properties and reduced water sensitivity compared to traditional biopolymers like starch. Current applications of these sustainable materials in food packaging are also mentioned.
This document discusses various materials used for food packaging, including plastics, bioplastics, glass, and metals. It examines factors to consider when selecting a packaging type, like cost, storage requirements, and recyclability. The document also analyzes specific materials like PET, polystyrene, and BPA plastics, noting their potential to leach chemicals into foods. While bioplastics offer renewable alternatives, they also have limitations regarding brittleness and higher costs. Overall, the best packaging depends on the food product and aims to both preserve and protect food while avoiding harmful chemical leaching.
This document provides an overview of bioplastics, including their classification and applications. It discusses that bioplastics are made from renewable sources like plants rather than petroleum, and are often biodegradable. The main types of bioplastics covered are starch-based, polylactic acid, and aliphatic polyesters. Current applications include packaging, food service ware, electronics, and more. The document also notes challenges to bioplastics such as cost, but that the field promises to help the environment and reduce dependence on fossil fuels as the technology advances.
This document provides an overview of bioplastics, including their background, properties, production processes, uses, and environmental impacts. It notes that bioplastics are an alternative to petroleum-based plastics as they are derived from renewable biomass sources and can be biodegraded. Global production of bioplastics is increasing and projected to reach over 2 million tons by 2013, though this will still only account for about 1.5% of total plastic production. Common types of bioplastics include polylactic acid (PLA), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Bioplastics have a variety of applications in packaging, electronics, catering, gard
This document describes Plantic, a company that produces bioplastics from renewable starch sources as an alternative to traditional plastics. Plantic has various patent families protecting its use of high amylose starch in plastic products. Its bioplastics offer ultra-high barrier properties while being more sustainable through renewable content and lower carbon emissions compared to traditional plastics. The document highlights Plantic's product range and case studies of its bioplastics being used in food packaging applications to extend shelf life.
This document discusses bioplastics as an alternative to traditional plastics derived from fossil fuels. It provides background on bioplastics and their production. Global production of bioplastics has increased significantly in recent years and is projected to continue growing. Bioplastics have various advantages over traditional plastics like being renewable, biodegradable, and having a lower environmental impact. Common types include starch-based, PLA, and PHA bioplastics. They are used in packaging, electronics, catering, gardening, medical products and more. The production process and carbon cycle of bioplastics is also outlined.
The document summarizes an experiment testing the biodegradability of various disposable food containers in a backyard garden over five months. Two cardboard containers completely broke down, while wax-coated paper cups showed some change. A compostable plastic cup and biodegradable foam showed no visible changes. Surprisingly, an additive in the foam mutated and grew into an edible and healthy herb, demonstrating the potential for disposable products to biodegrade and provide benefits. The experiment highlights the need for commercial composting facilities to fully break down many "eco-friendly" containers within a year.
This document discusses biodegradable plastics. It defines biodegradable plastics as plastics that can be broken down naturally by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The document provides a brief history of biodegradable plastics, including some of the earliest developments. It then discusses different types of biodegradable plastics such as bio-based plastics made from plants, thermal plastics that break down at high temperatures, and oxo-biodegradable plastics that require oxygen. Examples of biodegradable plastics like polylactic acid are also provided. The document outlines some advantages and disadvantages of bioplastics and gives examples of applications for both disposable and non-dis
This document discusses bioplastics as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics are derived from renewable plant sources like corn starch and can be broken down naturally. They reduce carbon dioxide emissions and are biodegradable unlike most plastics. The document outlines several uses of bioplastics in automotive parts, electronics casings, and packaging/catering products. Companies like Toyota and Sony are adopting bioplastics to make their products more environmentally friendly.
Valorization of Agro-Industrial Waste.pptxDCSaxena1
Agricultural and food industries produce the vast amount of wastes annually.
Burning, dumping or unplanned landfilling are major traditional steps to get rid off untreated and underutilized organic wastes.
The above unplanned management majors creating problems like global warming by increasing the amount and number of greenhouse gases.
The impact of unplanned management is not limited to locality now, it is affecting major areas of India.
Green Business Ideas for Startup, Entrepreneurs. Profitable Manufacturing of Biodegradable Products. Earth Friendly Products Production.
The non-biodegradable plastic products, which are commonly used in households, cannot be recycled for 400 years. Products like plastic carry bags, if disposed unscientifically, are hard to decompose and are a massive threat to soil cultivation.
Biodegradable substances are those that degrades or break down naturally. Materials like plants, animals, their waste, paper, fruits, flowers, vegetables fall under biodegradable substances, on the other hand, rubber, plastic, chemicals, paint plastic falls under the category of the non-biodegradable items.
For More Details, Click Here:- https://niir.org/profile-project-reports/profiles/biodegradable-products-recyclable-disposable-eco-friendly-plastics-bioplastics-compostable-biodegradable-packaging-for-food-products-bio-based-polymers-oxo-biodegradable-plastics-bio-nanocomposites-using-maize-corn-sugarcane-bagasse/z,,5a,0,a/index.html
Contact us
Niir Project Consultancy Services
An ISO 9001:2015 Company
106-E, Kamla Nagar, Opp. Spark Mall,
New Delhi-110007, India.
Email: npcs.ei@gmail.com , info@entrepreneurindia.co
Tel: +91-11-23843955, 23845654, 23845886, 8800733955
Mobile: +91-9811043595
Website: www.entrepreneurindia.co , www.niir.org
Bioplastics are plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, sawdust, recycled food waste, etc. Bioplastic can be made from agricultural by-products and also from used plastic bottles and other containers using microorganisms.
The document discusses bioplastics and their advantages over traditional petroleum-based plastics. It defines bioplastics as plastics derived from plant products like soybean oil, corn, or potato starch, as opposed to conventional plastics which are derived from petroleum. It highlights polylactic acid (PLA), which is synthesized from corn, as the most developed bioplastic currently. The document also discusses polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) which are polymers produced by bacteria and have biodegradable properties. It states that research into bioplastics is focused on developing materials that can replace non-renewable resource-based polymers while providing benefits like biodegradability and renewable sourcing.
The document discusses production of biodegradable plastics. It notes that over 140 million tons of plastic are consumed annually, most of which are not biodegradable. Bioplastics are a feasible alternative as they are made from renewable resources like vegetable oils and can biodegrade. Common types of bioplastics include polylactic acid, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, and thermoplastic starch. The production process for polylactic acid and uses of bioplastics in packaging, catering, gardening, medical, and sanitary products are described.
It deals about advantages,Disadvantages, Properties and types of biodegradable plastics and their applications in day today's world. It also says about the use bioplastics and its benefits.
This document provides an overview of compostable plastics, including definitions of key terms, standards, challenges, and issues. It discusses the history of bioplastics and differences between biobased, biodegradable, degradable, and compostable materials. While biobased content and compostability are desirable, sustainability requires considering additional factors like feedstocks, recyclability, and performance. Compostable plastics face challenges like inconsistent labeling, confusion with terms, and restrictions for use in organic programs.
Similar to Bioplastic Nursery Pots for Profitability and Sustainability (20)
This document summarizes best practices for managing trees during drought conditions. It discusses how drought impacts trees, effective irrigation strategies like hydrozoning and using drip irrigation, and other drought management techniques. It also provides recommendations for selecting drought-resilient tree species for urban landscapes, describing species from zones 4-7 that can tolerate lower water conditions. Examples of susceptible and tolerant species are given. The goal is to keep urban trees healthy during water shortages through irrigation optimization and choosing adapted plants.
This document summarizes the results of a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing bioplastic containers to petroleum-based containers. The LCA analyzed the environmental impacts from cradle-to-gate and partial cradle-to-grave. For the cradle-to-gate analysis, bioplastics made from PLA, PHA, and various biocomposite formulations were compared to polypropylene containers. The LCA found that the bioplastics generally had higher global warming and fossil fuel impacts than polypropylene, though some formulations like PLA-SPA-BioRes performed better. A partial cradle-to-grave analysis considered various end-of-life scenarios for the containers.
This document summarizes several experiments conducted on bioplastic containers for growing plants. A container aesthetics experiment tested various bioplastic formulations for growing gerbera and asparagus fern over 10-15 weeks. A shuttle tray experiment grew marigolds in different bioplastic containers for 7 weeks. A container nutrition trial grew marigolds in various bioplastic and petroleum plastic containers with 5 fertilizer treatments over 5 weeks. The nutrition trial showed differences in plant growth and nitrogen uptake between container materials and fertilizer levels.
1) A survey of 241 consumers found that while price and durability most influence plant container purchases, over 50% would pay more for renewable, biodegradable, or fertilizing containers.
2) Cluster analysis identified two groups: "The Green Ones" favor environmental attributes and would pay up to $1 extra, while "The Ones Who Do Not Act" prioritize price and would pay up to $0.25 extra.
3) A container trial at greenhouses and gardens sold the most PHA-DDGS, PLA-Soy-Biores, and recycled paper fiber containers, suggesting consumer interest in bioplastics.
This document summarizes research on bioplastic container cropping systems and biodegradation of biocontainers in soil and compost. Over multiple rounds of experiments, various bioplastic materials and composites were tested for biodegradation rates in both soil over 1.5 years and industrial compost over 12 weeks. Materials with high biomass content like PHA and PLA composites with soy exhibited nearly complete degradation within the testing periods. Temperature was found to strongly correlate with degradation rates in compost. Additional rounds tested commercial-grade biocontainers and impacts of colorants on compostability. Future work may develop biocontainers that pelletize into fertilizer after use.
Jake Behrens presented on biocontainer materials made from renewable polymers and fillers. Various polymer matrices like PLA and PHA were evaluated along with fillers such as soy polymer, lignin, and DDGS to increase degradation and strength properties. Formulations were processed via extrusion and injection molding, which presented difficulties due to lack of shear thinning and high injection pressures. Results from tensile and crush tests showed that filler content inversely affected strength, and adding 1% colorant improved appearance and strength. The conclusions were to avoid moisture during processing, decrease temperatures with a plasticizer, and that colorant aided properties.
The survey found that over 90% of gardening consumers are willing to purchase bioplastic plant pots. Biodegradable and fertilizing pots had the highest willingness to purchase and pay extra. Pots labeled "compostable" will appeal most to environmentally sensitive consumers, who are more willing to purchase and pay more for bioplastic pots compared to the overall population. Key factors influencing purchase included willingness to compost, experience with peat pots, and concerns about GMOs. Younger consumers and renters were willing to pay more for fertilizing pots.
The document summarizes current research on bioplastics being conducted through a collaborative research center. It provides an overview of plastics and processing methods like injection molding. It reviews the history of bioplastics beginning in the late 1800s. Current bioplastics like PLA, PHB, and bio-PET are discussed along with their production and degradation. The center aims to develop high-value products from agricultural and forest resources, promote compatibility with industry, and support economic growth. Projects focus on biopolymers, composites, coatings and adhesives. Member universities contribute expertise in materials science, engineering and agriculture.
This document summarizes research on the economics and marketing of bioplastic containers. It discusses the goals and limitations of cost-benefit analysis for bioplastics. It also analyzes survey data on consumers' and producers' willingness to pay for bioplastic pots. The surveys found that consumers are generally willing to pay a modest premium for bioplastic pots with certain desirable characteristics like improved plant health or soil biodegradability. Producers of bioplastics may also find a market among consumers interested in environmentally-friendly products.
This document summarizes a project to develop sustainable bioplastic container systems for greenhouse and nursery crop production. The project aims to create bioplastic containers that function as well as petroleum-based plastics during plant growth but can then degrade, providing fertilizer or soil conditioning. Over four billion petroleum plastic containers are used annually but less than 2% are recycled. The project will screen bioplastic formulations, improve top performers, and collaborate with manufacturers and growers to commercialize the best materials. Eighteen formulations were developed and ten prototypes will be commercially tested.
Green Industry Continuing Education Series
November 18, 2015
12 noon - 2 p.m.
Instructors:
Darren Blackford, Entomologist, USDA-Forest Service
Gene Phillips, Forest Health Specialist, Nevada Division of Forestry
This document discusses soil, mulch, and irrigation requirements for trees. It begins by outlining the negative effects of drought on trees, such as wilting leaves and reduced growth. It then discusses the myth that tree roots need oxygen and explains that as long as gases can freely exchange, roots will not die from a lack of oxygen. The document also covers ideal soil composition, including the importance of organic matter and pore space. Finally, it provides recommendations for amending soil, applying mulch, and using drip irrigation to improve drought resilience in trees.
This document discusses rules for estimating tree irrigation demand and surviving drought. It introduces four factors to consider: 1) transpiration rate, 2) rooting depth, 3) desiccation tolerance, and 4) tree size. It then discusses specific rules, including using reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and plant factors to estimate water use, grouping plants into hydrozones based on water needs, and estimating individual tree water use based on density and crown diameter. The goal is to provide a simple method for estimating when and how much to irrigate trees to keep them healthy with limited water supplies.
This document summarizes a seminar on trees and drought held in Reno, Nevada on September 26, 2014. It discusses the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), their role in invasive pest detection and identification, and examples of invasive pests that have caused damage, including the Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer. The seminar provided training to attendees so they could become registered First Detectors to help monitor for invasive species through the NPDN.
This document discusses selecting drought-resilient trees. It notes that drought is an increasing issue, causing tree losses. Trees have various adaptations for managing water loss, like reducing leaf area and temperature. Effective strategies include selecting native plants, looking for drought-tolerant characteristics, and choosing trees with extensive root systems. The document lists many resilient evergreen and deciduous tree species for Nevada, but cautions that some invasive species should be avoided. It emphasizes choosing the right plant for the site to minimize water and maintenance needs.
This document discusses the role of extension professionals in linking scientific research to practical application for producers. It emphasizes that research needs to provide information that influences profitability and risk management. The challenges of technology transfer include issues like impractical products, unfamiliarity, and previous bad experiences. Extension can help with applied research expertise, education experience, and relationships with key producers. The document outlines input from Utah producers on bioplastics research, including developing brand recognition, testing in local soils, and potential uses. It stresses the importance of including economics analysis, producer input, and outreach methods like workshops and field days to communicate results.
The document provides a five-step process for obtaining a login for a new volunteer management system: 1) Navigate to the website, 2) Request access by entering your email address, 3) Gain access by clicking the link in the confirmation email, 4) Change your password, and 5) Celebrate joining a system that saves paper by electronic timesheet tracking. Contact information is provided for assistance.
This document provides information on chain saw safety training. It outlines the objectives of the training, which are to describe the elements of a job hazard analysis, define required personal protective equipment, and apply a situational awareness checklist. It then details the various components of a job hazard analysis, types of personal protective equipment like hardhats and chaps, and considerations for situational awareness regarding overhead hazards, escape routes and cutting area control for tasks like limbing, bucking and felling trees.
More from University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (20)
Beyond Degrees - Empowering the Workforce in the Context of Skills-First.pptxEduSkills OECD
Iván Bornacelly, Policy Analyst at the OECD Centre for Skills, OECD, presents at the webinar 'Tackling job market gaps with a skills-first approach' on 12 June 2024
Temple of Asclepius in Thrace. Excavation resultsKrassimira Luka
The temple and the sanctuary around were dedicated to Asklepios Zmidrenus. This name has been known since 1875 when an inscription dedicated to him was discovered in Rome. The inscription is dated in 227 AD and was left by soldiers originating from the city of Philippopolis (modern Plovdiv).
Philippine Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) CurriculumMJDuyan
(𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝟏𝟎𝟎) (𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟏)-𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐬
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐏𝐏 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬:
- Understand the goals and objectives of the Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) curriculum, recognizing its importance in fostering practical life skills and values among students. Students will also be able to identify the key components and subjects covered, such as agriculture, home economics, industrial arts, and information and communication technology.
𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫:
-Define entrepreneurship, distinguishing it from general business activities by emphasizing its focus on innovation, risk-taking, and value creation. Students will describe the characteristics and traits of successful entrepreneurs, including their roles and responsibilities, and discuss the broader economic and social impacts of entrepreneurial activities on both local and global scales.
Level 3 NCEA - NZ: A Nation In the Making 1872 - 1900 SML.pptHenry Hollis
The History of NZ 1870-1900.
Making of a Nation.
From the NZ Wars to Liberals,
Richard Seddon, George Grey,
Social Laboratory, New Zealand,
Confiscations, Kotahitanga, Kingitanga, Parliament, Suffrage, Repudiation, Economic Change, Agriculture, Gold Mining, Timber, Flax, Sheep, Dairying,
6. Hold up to moisture
Decomposed by naturally occurring
microorganisms
Reduce dependence on foreign crude oil
Reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
Produced from byproducts of agricultural
commodities
7.
8. First bioplastic: cellulose film
Bioplastics made from corn, wheat, or
sugar cane
Standards for biodegradability:
• 60% biodegradation within 180 days (ASTM
6400) – U.S. standard
• 90% biodegradation within 90 days (EN 13432) –
international standard
9. Most made from sugars or starch (water-
permeable)
Some not structurally strong
May leave residue when degrading –
phytotoxicity?
Cost
10. Matt Helgeson, Bill Graves, David Grewell,
Gowrishankar Srinivasan
Iowa State University
11. Zein – protein from
corn
Early 1900’s – used
in making shellac
Current use in
pharmaceutical
industry and food
coating
12. The material is a powder (like corn
meal)
Mixed with small amounts of glycerol
(plasticizer) and ethanol (solvent)
13. Zein is hydrophobic (water-hating)
Products made from it are water-
insoluble
Pots degraded by soil microbes
Zein is 10% protein – could release
nitrogen during decomposition
15. Pots filled with peat-based substrate
degraded
Pots filled with
perlite did not
Must use organic substrate with zein-
based bio-pots
16. Treatment Total nitrogen (mg/kg)
Fiber 3.2
Peat 0.81
Thin zein pot 82.6
Thick zein pot 120.5
Perlite 29.7
Peat-based substrate 165.8
Zein protein contains 10% nitrogen
Peat moss enhances microbial breakdown of zein
17.
18. Sterilization did not
reduce degradation
Lack of oxygen in
saturated soil
prevented degradation
Peat and fiber pots did
not degrade
19. These are pots that have degraded
significantly after only a few months in soil
20. Zein degrades completely in organic
substrates
Zein-based pots are compostable without
the need for special equipment or
processes
Zein-based pots increase substrate
fertility as they degrade
21. How do plants respond to zein-based bioplastic pots?
22. Transplanted
without zein
pot
Transplanted
with zein pot
Transplanted
without zein
pot
Transplanted
with zein pot
Transplants in zein pots are stunted in growth
Are plants kept in the zein pots suffering from root restriction?
24. Root systems of plants after 6 weeks of growth in an 8” azalea
outer pot
Is something phytotoxic released by zein pots?
Plastic pot Peat pot Zein pot
R K R RK K
30. Zein pots raise ammonium, EC, pH levels
of potting substrate
These levels delay root growth
Supplemental N fertilization not needed
with zein pots!
31. Reformulation of zein pots to cut down on the
protein content
Will try fillers such as cellulose, coir (coconut)
fibers, and corn stover
Add chemical cross-linking agents or
plasticizers to slow down the biodegradation
process
32. Current longevity about 3 months –
suitable for bedding plants
Biodegrades completely
May aid establishment of
crops transplanted or installed with their
pots
Editor's Notes
In these uncertain times, many in our industry are concerned that consumers will forego spending money on landscapes to save money and water; yet, our urban green spaces are critical to keeping our cities cool and preventing further evaporation of our limited water supplies. The way I see it, we have a tremendous opportunity! We can either keep doing what we’re doing and risk losing our business… or, we can change the way we do business – using more sustainable products and processes, and marketing our sustainability to the consumer. There has never been a better time to be “green” and never more opportunity to educate consumers about resource conservation. I have been collaborating with a research group from Iowa State University. They are working on a process to manufacture biodegradable biorenewable nursery pots from abundant agricultural commodities such as soybeans or corn. They chose corn as the biorenewable source for production of their pots because of its superior properties that make it ideal for plant production. The product is still in the prototype stage but it has lots of potential for the industry. I’m presenting the concept to you today in hopes of hearing your ideas and feedback.
Rising costs of petroleum and negative consequences of disposing of petroleum-based plastic pots in landfills have led to increased interest in bioplastics. Conventional plastics are not biodegradable, and difficulties associated with the disposal of synthetic plastics used in horticulture have raised concerns about environmental sustainability. Recycling of nursery pots is limited because of a lacking infrastructure, poor resin quality, and ultraviolet degradation; therefore, most containers are deposited in landfills. The labor it takes to clean and reuse or to dispose of pots can be cost-prohibitive. And storage of old pots requires space and even more labor! So… many of our pots end up in landfills.
Synthetic plastics accounted for 26.8 million metric tons of municipal solid waste in the United States in 2006, only 7% of which was recycled.
The features you would want in a nursery pot include…..
The concept of biodegradable pots has been around for almost 30 years, since Jiffy made their pots made out of pressed peat moss. Since then, biodegradable pots have been made with coir (coy are) (coconut) fiber, fiber paper, wood fiber, sugar cane, palm fiber. These products work but they have an unpredictable longevity, high evaporative water loss, low strength limiting their use in plant production processes.
Relatively new, bioplastics technology has the advantages of….
Bioplastics are already in use for many kinds of products, including flexible and rigid food packaging and storage containers; disposable bottles, cups, and tableware; shopping and trash bags; films, screens and netting.
Most in the industry use the term bioplastic to mean a plastic produced from a biological source. One of the oldest plastics, cellulose film (cellophane), is made from wood cellulose. Not all bioplastics are biodegradable. All bio- and petroleum-based plastics are technically biodegradable, meaning they can be degraded by microbes under suitable conditions. However many degrade at such slow rates as to be considered non-biodegradable. Petroleum-based plastics can remain solid for hundreds of years. The degree of biodegradation varies with temperature, polymer stability, and available oxygen content. Japan has been a leader in this technology, incorporating them into electronics and automobiles.
Some not structurally sound enough to handle the rigors of plant handling and processing. Some bioplastics are mixed with conventional plastics to achieve certain desirable qualities. A disadvantage of this approach is that the products of degradation of the conventional material will remain in the environment for years. Currently, bioplastics are costlier to make than conventional plastics but an increase in supply will promise to reduce the cost and make it competitive with conventional plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene.
As I mentioned, this project is collaborative was started at Iowa State University by Drs. Bill Graves and Dave Grewell. Matt Helgeson is a graduate student working on the project. I am a collaborator and will be involved in testing the prototype in the arid climate and dry soils of Utah.
The pots are formulated from a corn protein called zein. It is processed from corn gluten, a byproduct of ethanol production. It has a long history of use dating all the way back to the early 1900’s where it was used for many things, including industrial coatings like shellac for flooring and furniture. Its only major current use is in the pharmaceutical and food industries for pill casings and for coatings on fruits and vegetables. Its hydrophobic properties make it an attractive bioplastic.
The raw material is powder that looks a lot like corn meal. This material is mixed with glycerol, which is used as a plasticizer, and ethanol, which is used to extract the zein.
Others have tried making pots from soybean, which is water-soluble -- it disintegrated rapidly when subjected to moisture. Zein pots are water-insoluble and will only degrade when placed in contact with soil. So, irrigating plants in these pots does not affect their degradation rate. Zein is 10% protein, which contains nitrogen. So, the group reasoned that it might release nitrogen as it degraded.
I’m going to share with you the results of some recent testing on the zein pots. Remember, these are just prototypes, and this testing is needed in order to refine the formulation of the pots to meet the requirements of efficient plant production. Initial tests were done with pots alone (no plants) to test the effects of substrate, irrigation, sterilization, and aeration on pot biodegradation.
Pots were filled with either a peat-moss-based substrate or with perlite and watered to field capacity every 2 days or every 4 days. They were held in growth chambers under consistent light and temperature for 73 days. Peat-pots and fiber pots were treated similarly and used for comparison.
Total nitrogen release in leachate from pots after 73 days. There were three treatment factors: pot type, substrate, and irrigation frequency. All four pot types were filled with either Fafard® 52 medium or perlite, and pots were irrigated with 200 ml of tap water either every 2 or 4 days. Treatments were arranged in a complete factorial combination resulting in a total of 16 treatments with three replicates per treatment. Pots were arranged in a completely randomized design in a growth chamber. The presence of peat moss enhanced microbial degradation of zein. Although not shown here, increased frequency of irrigation inhibited zein degradation, probably due to lack of oxygen for microbial action. Biodegradation of pots requires a substrate (zein) and a source of microbes. Peat and fiber pots showed few signs of degradation – there was a source of microbes but no substrate for them to degrade.
In the second experiment with pots, all pots were filled with a peat-based substrate, and each filled pot was planted individually into a larger conventional plastic container filled with field soil to simulate the protocol of installing a plant in the ground with the bioplastic pot in which it was produced. The larger containers either were allowed to drain after irrigations or were kept saturated. For half of these two-pot experimental units, both the Fafard® 52 and soil were sterilized (autoclaved) immediately before use, whereas nonsterilized Fafard® mix and soil were used for the other half of the units.
Placement of bioplastic pots into soil, which was intended to simulate the possible practice of transplanting or installing without pot removal, led to more weight loss when the soil was drained than when the soil was saturated. In drained soils, the bioplastic degraded extensively and lost structure and shape, whereas pots in saturated soil, though misshapen, remained intact. Use of sterilized substrate did not influence weight loss of the pots. Peat pots formed mold on their outer walls.
Finally, our evidence that pots made from zein release nitrogen justifies further studies to explore how nitrogen from these pots may benefit plant growth during production, may reduce the need to apply nitrogen fertilizers, and may aid establishment of crops transplanted or installed with their pots.
Next, it was time to find out how plants would respond to zein pots under growing conditions.
Here is a study where they grew geraniums in three types of pots, zein bioplastic, regular plastic, and jiffy peat pots. Plants were grown in the greenhouse in the 4” round pots for 7 weeks. After 7 weeks, the plants were transplanted into 8” azalea pots. Treatment- Half of the reps were removed from the original pots prior to transplanting, and the other half were transplanted in their original pots to simulate planting in the ground with the pot.
After 6 weeks we found that plants kept in their zein pot were not performing as well as those transplanted without the zein pot.
Above is a comparison of a plant removed from the zein pot (left) and a plant kept in the zein pot (right)
As you can see the growth is very reduced in the plants kept in the zein pot. We suspected that ammonium released from the degrading pot (mineralization) was so high that it is becoming toxic, but we had to rule out root restriction as a cause of reduced growth.
So, geraniums were grown for 7 weeks in either plastic pots, peat pots, or zein pots. Then they were transplanted to a plastic outer pot without removing the original pot and grown for another 6 weeks. Here we see that plants kept in plastic and peat pots are doing much better than in zein. So something other than root restriction is limiting plant growth in zein pots.
Both pictures from left to right – Geranium in plastic pot, geranium in peat pot, geranium in zein pot
Whether the plants are transplanted with or without pots doesn’t influence root growth – except those transplanted with the zein pot. Notice zein pot is degrading but roots are not growing – something is limiting root growth in zein pots. R = pot removed prior to transplant; k = pot kept in place during transplant. Now they began to suspect that something toxic was being released during the zein pot degradation.
Here is a close-up of the zein pot. It’s clearly not root restriction because you can see that much of the zein pot wall has degraded. Roots in the peat pots are growing through the side walls.
This is a very interesting graph. Six weeks after transplanting, they saw a huge increase in ammonia levels in the leachate from zein bioplastic pots (mineralization of the protein).
They saw no ammonium in the plastic pots. Neither type of pots received any ammonium from the liquid fertilizer (Hoagland’s #1).
Note that this is way more ammonium than would ever be applied to any plant. Our next goal is to find a way to reduce this ammonium output!
EC is electrical conductivity. It is a measure of how much salts are present. Since fertilizers are simply chemical salts, too much fertilizer can increase electrical conductivity above the safe zone for plants. (Most plants do best with EC below 3 or 4.) You can see that whether or not supplemental N was provided, the zein pots released toxic levels of salts to the planting substrate.
A ray of hope! After 6 more weeks, however, roots began to grow through their zein pots and plant growth started to catch up to that of plants not transplanted in zein pots. Plant in zein pot on left, plant out of zein pot on right.
More growth of the plant in zein pot compared to the first harvest (see slide 2), but still not caught up to plants removed from the pot.
In another study they looked at the nitrogen release capacity of the pots.
They used two pot types and two fertility treatments.
Pots were plastic and zein.
Fertility treatments were Hoagland’s with nitrogen and Hoagland’s without nitrogen
We found that plants in plastic pots became deficient without nitrogen, but plants in zein pots did not.
In the leachate they measured significant levels of ammonium and nitrate in the zein pots that didn’t receive any nitrogen.
This is good, but we also found that all plants in zein pots did not perform as well as plants in plastic that were provided nitrogen – notice the small leaves
These are problems inherent with the used of a protein-based pot, but they are not insurmountable problems. There is reason for hope! Plants in zein pots may be able to be transplanted directly into the landscape, pot and all, and show greater vigor because of the nitrogen provided during pot degradation. Now the problem is to adjust the pot formulation to slow down the release of nitrogen.
Corn stover is the leftover parts of the corn plant that, today, are not directly used to produce ethanol.
As currently formulated… longevity of about 3 months under greenhouse conditions. Hopefully, modifications in pot design or composition promise to expand the range of crops that can be produced in these containers.