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All-biodegradable soy protein isolate/lignin composite cross-linked by oxidized sucrose as agricultural mulch films for green farming
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Researchers developed an all-biodegradable mulch film made from soy protein, lignin, and oxidized sucrose as a green alternative to conventional plastic agricultural films. The film demonstrated improved tensile strength, UV-shielding capability, moisture retention, and controlled fertilizer release properties. Field tests showed higher cabbage seed germination rates compared to traditional polyethylene film, suggesting this bio-based material could reduce microplastic generation from agricultural practices.
Microplastics produced from the discarded traditional non-degradable mulch film deteriorate the ecological environment and pose a great threat to human health. Developing eco-friendly and biodegradable materials to substitute traditional plastic mulch film highly contributed to the progress of green agriculture. Herein, a category of eco-friendly and all-biodegradable soy protein isolate (SPI)/oxidized sucrose (OS)/Lignin mulch film was innovatively proposed by employing OS as green cross-linker and lignin as nanofiller under chemical/physical interaction. The cross-linking effect and hydrogen bonds between biopolymers act as sacrificial bonds for energy dissipation and effectively reinforced the intermolecular interactions as well as tensile strength from 6.67 MPa of pristine SPI film to 8.45 MPa of SPI/OS/Lignin film. Moreover, the SPI/OS/Lignin mulch film also presented excellent UV-shielding, moisture retention, heat preservation effect and sustained urea release properties. Benefitting from the above-mentioned merits, higher germination rate of cabbage seed was achieved when the natural soil was covered by such multifunctional mulch film compared to traditional low-density PE film. Our findings paved a solid way in rational designing and fabricating eco-friendly, low-cost and all-biodegradable mulch film to facilitate the crops growth, boosting the development of green farming.
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This paper develops a cellulose-based mulch film coated with starch and a silane compound to mimic the strength and water resistance of conventional plastic agricultural film, achieving a water contact angle of 128 degrees (up from 16 degrees for untreated cellulose) and complete biodegradation in soil within 56 days. Unlike polyethylene mulch films that fragment into persistent microplastics in farmland, this material decomposes within a crop growing cycle, offering a practical biodegradable alternative for agriculture.
A Comprehensive Review on Lignin-Based Biodegradable Mulch Films for Sustainable Agriculture
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The plastic sheeting farmers use to boost crop yields is leaving behind massive amounts of microplastics in soil — up to 10,000+ particles per kilogram — which can harm soil health and potentially work their way into our food and water. This review rounds up existing research on a promising fix: mulch films made from lignin, a natural, plant-based material that blocks UV light, resists water, and breaks down in soil within weeks instead of persisting like plastic. While these lignin-based films show real potential, the review notes more work is needed before they're ready for widespread farm use.
Development of Eco-Friendly Packaging Films from Soyhull Lignocellulose: Towards Valorizing Agro-Industrial Byproducts
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Researchers developed a biodegradable packaging film from soyhull waste, a byproduct of the soybean industry, as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The film showed good barrier and mechanical properties suitable for food packaging applications. This type of innovation is important because replacing conventional plastic packaging with biodegradable alternatives could reduce the generation of microplastics that contaminate food and the environment.
Lignin-Based Composite Film and Its Application for Agricultural Mulching
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This review examines lignin-based composite films as biodegradable alternatives to conventional polyethylene agricultural mulch, summarizing recent advances in lignin types, film preparation methods, and field applications, with the conclusion that lignin-based mulches offer a promising green solution to agricultural plastic pollution.
Deep eutectic solvent-mediated extraction of lignin: A novel strategy for producing high-quality biopolymers in controlled-release mulching applications
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Researchers developed a biodegradable mulch film made from lignin, chitosan, and polyvinyl alcohol that can also slowly release fertilizer to crops. The film matched the thermal insulation and water retention properties of conventional plastic mulch while breaking down naturally in soil. The study offers a promising alternative to plastic mulch films, which are a major source of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.