Controlled release of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid herbicide from waste gelatin-based blends and composites

The volume of plastic waste is becoming a serious problem for waste management. Waste management is based on four hierarchical approaches: reduction, reuse, recycling, and energy recovery. We now report on recycling of gelatin scraps that are derived during the production of pharmaceutical capsules, by using the gelatin scraps in the production of controlled-release systems. This may help to minimize the side effects that often accompany the conventional application of pesticides. More important, the gelatins themselves, when degraded, might be useful to soil solarization and crop growth. Using and recycling these waste materials in the proposed application would save natural resources and consequently would be economically useful. The synthesis of gelatin films, and composites incorporating 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) as herbicide, will be described. Morphology and mechanical properties of the films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and tensile tests, respectively. The release of the MCPA herbicide from the prepared blends and composites was investigated. The prepared formulation proved to be useful for agricultural applications. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.