Room: Poster Area
Date: Friday, 22 May 2026
Time: 13:45 - 14:45 CEST
Session code 1DV.6
Valorization of organic waste streams and residues into energy and materials
Microencapsulation of Urea in Agro-Food Wastes - Contribution to a Sustainable Agriculture and Circular Economy
Short Introductive summary
Micro and nanotechnology-based fertilizers represent a novel strategy for boosting agricultural output and show great potential as viable options in the fertilizer industry, as they can significantly enhance nutrient retention and promote optimal growth. This work explores the use of different agro-food wastes as resources to be applied in the microencapsulation of urea, with a primary focus on improving nutrient efficiency and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Starch, cellulose, pectin, lignin and chitosan, obtained from different agro-food wastes were tested as encapsulating materials as these materials are hydrophilic and present good film forming ability and surface activity. Those agro-food wastes were used as coating materials where urea was dispersed, forming through agitation, the microcapsules. After, impact on nutrient release dynamics, was evaluated in water and in sandy and clay soils.
Presenter
Ana Luisa FERNANDO
Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Chemistry Dpt., PORTUGAL
Presenter's biography
Ana Luísa Fernando holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences. Associate Professor at Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa.Main scientific areas: energy crops, remediation of contaminated soils, valorization of agro residues.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
V. Souza, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, PORTUGAL
A.L. Fernando, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, PORTUGAL
Session reference: 1DV.6.16