Pineapple peel cellulose based eco-friendly fertilizer nanocomposites for improved nutrient delivery.
Shariful Juhari MH, Luthfi AAI, Saleh NM, Abdul PM, Salleh MZM
Soil Health
It means the fertilizers of the future could be made from fruit scraps rather than petrochemicals, delivering nutrients more precisely to plants — so your food grows with less chemical pollution reaching nearby waterways.
Scientists took the peels of pineapples — normally thrown away — and processed them into tiny fibers that act like a slow-release capsule for plant nutrients. When blended into a new type of fertilizer, these fibers helped plants grow dramatically better while reducing the amount of nutrients that wash away and pollute the environment. The fertilizer worked well both in regular gardens and in indoor vertical farms, suggesting it could be a practical option for a wide range of growers.
Key Findings
Cellulose nanofibers extracted from pineapple peel using microwave-assisted methods achieved a 40.86% yield with superior structural properties compared to high-speed blending (33.21%).
The optimized fertilizer formulation (F1, containing pineapple peel nanofibers, biofertilizers, and biodegradable polymers) significantly improved plant height from 6.7 cm to 182.4 cm and leaf area from 16 to 530 cm² across test crops.
F1 demonstrated the best balance of biodegradability, water retention, and controlled nutrient release among six tested formulations, outperforming a conventional fertilizer control.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Researchers created a smarter, greener fertilizer using nanofibers extracted from pineapple peels, combined with biodegradable polymers and beneficial microbes. This slow-release fertilizer reduced nutrient runoff while significantly boosting plant growth in both traditional and vertical farming setups.
Abstract Preview
Food security is increasingly challenged by rapid population growth and limited arable land. Fertilizers are essential for boosting yields, yet conventional types often cause nutrient losses and en...
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The pineapple is a tropical plant with an edible fruit; it is the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae.