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Polysaccharides
Volume 6
Issue 4
10.3390/polysaccharides6040113
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Article

Sustainable Biodegradable Starch–Collagen Polymeric Systems: Preparation, Characterization, and Efficacy for Slow Release of Organic Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium

by
Maíra L. S. Couto
1,
Ingrid A. dos S. Matusinho
1,
Patterson P. Souza
1,
Luiz C. A. Oliveira
2 and
Patrícia S. de O. Patricio
1,*
1
Chemistry Departament, Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG), Av. Amazonas 5253, Belo Horizonte 30421-169, MG, Brazil
2
Chemistry Departament, ICEx, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Polysaccharides 2025, 6(4), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6040113
Submission received: 28 August 2025 / Revised: 5 October 2025 / Accepted: 26 November 2025 / Published: 9 December 2025
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Abstract

The use of biodegradable polymers in slow-release NPK fertilizers is gaining prominence for reducing overdosing, minimizing nutrient loss, and enhancing efficiency. This study prepared modified and unmodified thermoplastic starch (TPS) systems via extrusion, incorporating collagen and potassium phosphate. Controlled-release nutrient systems utilizing nitrogen from an organic source were developed and characterized. The materials were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle measurements, and biodegradability in the soil. The biodegradability of the polymeric matrix was evaluated through mass loss, with up to 78.9% degradation observed after 60 days for TPS-based systems containing collagen. Structural modifications in the TPS matrix led to changes in crystallinity and hydrophilicity, which directly influenced degradation rates. The nutrient release effect was assessed by monitoring the growth of chili pepper seedlings over 15 days. Seedlings grown in soil containing polymeric systems with 20% collagen or 6.2% urea reached average heights between 5.2 and 7.8 cm, compared to 5.0 cm for the unmodified TPS and 0 cm in treatments with pure urea, which caused seedling mortality. The polymeric systems containing collagen exhibited superior performance as a sustainable nitrogen source, ensuring a slower and more controlled release while yielding positive outcomes for early plant development.
Keywords: starch; biodegradable polymers; collagen; controlled release starch; biodegradable polymers; collagen; controlled release
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MDPI and ACS Style

Couto, M.L.S.; Matusinho, I.A.d.S.; Souza, P.P.; Oliveira, L.C.A.; Patricio, P.S.d.O. Sustainable Biodegradable Starch–Collagen Polymeric Systems: Preparation, Characterization, and Efficacy for Slow Release of Organic Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Polysaccharides 2025, 6, 113. https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6040113

AMA Style

Couto MLS, Matusinho IAdS, Souza PP, Oliveira LCA, Patricio PSdO. Sustainable Biodegradable Starch–Collagen Polymeric Systems: Preparation, Characterization, and Efficacy for Slow Release of Organic Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Polysaccharides. 2025; 6(4):113. https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6040113

Chicago/Turabian Style

Couto, Maíra L. S., Ingrid A. dos S. Matusinho, Patterson P. Souza, Luiz C. A. Oliveira, and Patrícia S. de O. Patricio. 2025. "Sustainable Biodegradable Starch–Collagen Polymeric Systems: Preparation, Characterization, and Efficacy for Slow Release of Organic Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium" Polysaccharides 6, no. 4: 113. https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6040113

APA Style

Couto, M. L. S., Matusinho, I. A. d. S., Souza, P. P., Oliveira, L. C. A., & Patricio, P. S. d. O. (2025). Sustainable Biodegradable Starch–Collagen Polymeric Systems: Preparation, Characterization, and Efficacy for Slow Release of Organic Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Polysaccharides, 6(4), 113. https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6040113

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