Soy Protein-Based Matrices with Incorporated Salts for Use in Horticulture

Nowadays, the use of fertilizers has become widespread in horticulture, causing pollution problems in soils and groundwater due to the low assimilation by the plants and their high solubility. The incorporation of these fertilizers in biodegradable matrices, which can release them in a controlled manner, could solve all these disadvantages. Furthermore, these matrices can cause other advantages, such as water retention that can be used in drought periods. The objective of this work was the evaluation of the incorporation of different zinc (micronutrient) salts into soy protein-based matrices. Thus, the water uptake capacity, degree of zinc incorporation and mechanical properties of these matrices were compared.