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Crystallization of struvite-K from pumpkin wastes
Sema Atalay1, Idris Sargin2, Gulsin Arslan2
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey.
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
|June 18, 2021
Summary
Pumpkin waste can be transformed into valuable struvite-K crystals, a slow-release fertilizer essential for sustainable agriculture. This process efficiently recovers potassium from agricultural byproducts.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Sustainable agriculture relies on slow-release fertilizers from biological sources.
- Struvite-K (KMgPO4·6H2O) is a sparingly soluble mineral ideal for slow-release fertilizer applications.
- Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) pulp is an agricultural byproduct with no current economic value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the recovery of struvite-K crystals from the pyrolysis products of pumpkin waste.
- To assess the potential of pumpkin waste as a source of potassium for fertilizer production.
Main Methods:
- Pumpkin pulp was pyrolyzed at high temperatures.
- Potassium was extracted from the pyrolysis residue.
- Struvite-K crystals were precipitated using NaH2PO4·2H2O and MgCl2·6H2O.
- Characterization involved FTIR, SEM-EDX, and XRD analyses.
Main Results:
- The study demonstrated the feasibility of recovering struvite-K from pumpkin waste.
- Approximately 80% of the potassium present in the pumpkin waste was recovered as struvite-K crystals.
- Characterization confirmed the formation and properties of the struvite-K crystals.
Conclusions:
- Pumpkin waste is a viable source of potassium for fertilizer production.
- Recovered struvite-K crystals show significant potential for use as a slow-release mineral fertilizer.
- This method supports sustainable agriculture by valorizing waste streams.
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