Polymers for Agri-Food Applications

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

   PDF

2. Trends in Polymers for Agri-Food Applications: A Note from the Editor

   • Tomy J. Gutiérrez

   Pages 1-3

3. Polymer Based Micro- and Nanoencapsulation of Agrochemicals

   • Tanushree Sinha, Prachi Bhagwatwar, Chandan Krishnamoorthy, Ramalingam Chidambaram

   Pages 5-28

4. Nano and Microencapsulated Nutrients for Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer

   • Débora França, Lucas Luiz Messa, Claudinei Fonseca Souza, Roselena Faez

   Pages 29-44

5. Potential Use of Polymeric Particles for the Regulation of Plant Growth

   • Anderson E. S. Pereira, Bruno T. Sousa, María J. Iglesias, Vera A. Alvarez, Claudia A. Casalongué, Halley C. Oliveira et al.

   Pages 45-66

6. Applications and Implications of Environmental-Responsive Polymers toward Agrochemicals

   • Yue Shen, Huaxin Zhu, Yan Wang, Haixin Cui, Runcang Sun

   Pages 67-90

7. Starch Nanoparticles and Nanocrystals as Bioactive Molecule Carriers

   • Cristian C. Villa, Leidy T. Sanchez, N. David Rodriguez-Marin

   Pages 91-98

8. Biopolymer-Based Hydrogels for Agriculture Applications: Swelling Behavior and Slow Release of Agrochemicals

   • Bárbara Tomadoni, Claudia Casalongué, Vera A. Alvarez

   Pages 99-125

9. Hydrogels: An Effective Tool to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Crops

   • Mariana A. Melaj, Rocío B. Gimenez

   Pages 127-141

10. Classification and Uses of Emulsions in Food and Agro Applications

    • Antony Allwyn Sundarraj, Thottiam Vasudevan Ranganathan

    Pages 143-158

11. Nanoemulsions: Industrial Production and Food-Grade Applications

    • Sonal Agarwal, Swathika Vivekanandan, Trisha David, Mahima Mitra, Jeyanthi Palanivelu, Ramalingam Chidambaram

    Pages 159-182

12. Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films for Sustainable Specialty Crop Production

    • Douglas G. Hayes, Marife B. Anunciado, Jennifer M. DeBruyn, Sreejata Bandopadhyay, Sean Schaeffer, Marie English et al.

    Pages 183-213

13. Performance of Bio-Based Polymeric Agricultural Mulch Films

    • Danila Merino, Andrea Y. Mansilla, Claudia A. Casalongué, Vera A. Alvarez

    Pages 215-240

14. Agronomical Overview of Mulch Film Systems

    • S. Guerrini, C. Yan, M. Malinconico, P. Mormile

    Pages 241-264

15. Mulch Plastic Systems: Recent Advances and Applications

    • Verónica Manzano, Nancy L. García, Carlos Rodríguez Ramírez, Norma D’Accorso, Silvia Goyanes

    Pages 265-290

16. Biodegradable Polymer Nanofibers Applied in Slow Release Systems for Agri-Food Applications

    • Danilo Martins, Vanessa P. Scagion, Rodrigo Schneider, Ana Carolina C. Lemos, Juliano Oliveira, Daniel S. Correa

    Pages 291-316

17. Synthesis Methods of Starch-Based Polymer Foams and Its Comparison With Conventional Polymer Foams for Food Packaging Applications

    • Shatakshi Pachori, Anushka Sarkar, Anjama Dutta, Jeyanthi Palanivelu, Ramalingam Chidambaram

    Pages 317-338

18. Coatings in the Postharvest

    • María Roberta Ansorena, Alejandra G. Ponce

    Pages 339-354

19. Trends in the Manufacture of Coatings in the Postharvest Conservation of Fruits and Vegetables

    • Loveleen Sharma, Alok Saxena, Tanushree Maity

    Pages 355-375

20. Development of Edible Coatings in the Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables

    • Sabina Galus

    Pages 377-390

This book presents an exhaustive analysis of the trends in the development and use of natural and synthetic polymer systems aimed at sustainable agricultural production. The polymers have allowed the development of controlled and released systems of agrochemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers and phytohormones through micro and nanoencapsulated systems, which protect and stimulate the growth of crops at low costs and without damage to the environment. Hydrogel systems from natural and synthetic polymers have also had their place in the agricultural industry, since they allow to maintain the humidity conditions of the crops for their correct development in drought times. Mulch films made of polymers have also become important in the control of weeds and pests in crops, as well as the use of edible coatings applied to fruits and vegetables during post-harvest, which reduce the losses of these perishable foods. Currently, the systems indicated, as well as others, are already used on a large scale. However, research studies in this area have been limited compared to other polymer applications. This book collects useful information for researchers, students and technologies related to the polymer technology and agri-food production. In this book, world-renowned researchers have participated, including associate editors of important journals, as well as researchers working in the area of research and development (R&D) of leading agri-food industries in the manufacture of agricultural inputs.

• Edible Coatings
• Emulsions
• Foams
• Hydrogels
• Nano-Encapsulation
• Micro-Encapsulation
• Mulch Films

• Thermoplastic Composite Materials (CoMP) Group, Faculty of Engineering, Institute of Research in Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP) and National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina

  Tomy J. Gutiérrez

Dr. Tomy J. Gutiérrez has a degree in chemistry (Geochemical option) from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) (December, 2007), a degree in education (Chemical mention) from the same university (UCV, July, 2008), has a specialization in International Negotiation of Hydrocarbons from the National Polytechnic Experimental University of the National Armed Force (UNEFA) - Venezuela (July, 2011). He also has a Master's and PhD degree in Food Science and Technology obtained in October, 2013 and April, 2015, respectively, both from the UCV. He has also PhD studies in Metallurgy and Materials Science from the UCV and postdoctoral studies at the Research Institute in Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA). Dr. Gutiérrez has been a professor - researcher at the UCV both at the Institute of Food Science and Technology (ICTA) and the School of Pharmacy at the same university. It is currently an adjunct researcher in the INTEMA - National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina. Dr. Gutiérrez has at least 20 book chapters and 40 publications in international journals of high impact factor. He has been a guest editor of several international journals such as Journal of Food Quality, Advances in Polymer Technology, Current Pharmaceutical Design and Frontiers in Pharmacology. Dr. Gutiérrez today is developing a line of research in nanostructured materials based on polymers (composite materials), which are obtained on a pilot scale to be transferred to the food, pharmaceutical and polymer industry. It is also a collaborator of international projects between Argentina and Brazil, Colombia, France, India, Iran, Spain, Sweden and Venezuela.

Policies and ethics