Karakterisasi biokomposit alginat-pati-kaolin sebagai kandidat slow-release pupuk urea

Abstract

The urea fertilizer was encapsulation with the various compositions of alginate, starch, and kaolin for developing of slowed-release properties. The characteristics of alginate-starch-kaolin biocomposites, such as a diameter of beads and swelling ratio in various compositions of these biocomposites were evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also were used to characterize the structure of the biocomposites. The results show that the characteristics of alginate-starch-kaolin biocomposite were influenced by their composition. This study indicates that alginate-starch-kaolin biocomposites are a feasible alternative candidate for the development of the efficient slowed-release formulation of urea, and which could have a promising application for wet-land agriculture in South Kalimantan.