Desarrollo de matrices proteicas de soja con la incorporación de micronutrientes para su uso en horticultura

Abstract

The increase in horticultural production, caused by the new trend towards a healthier diet, has generated the need to create intensive horticultural systems. These systems subsist thanks to the use of fertilizers since the soil is not capable of regenerating its nutrients as quickly as this type of horticulture requires. However, the conventional fertilization method is ineffective and generates contamination problems due to excess nutrients. For this reason, new technologies are currently being tested, with controlled release systems generating the greatest interest. In this sense, the main objective of this Doctoral Thesis is the development of a biodegradable and sustainable controlled release system (matrix) to supply micronutrients to horticultural crops. To this end, a protein-rich soy by-product was revalued as raw material for the development of the matrix. In addition, the different processing stages were studied in order to achieve the most optimal system, in terms of its functional properties, to supply the nutrients to the crop. This work has opened a new possibility of creating more efficient fertilizers, improving the benefits of conventional fertilization. Thus, these matrices are expected to revolutionize the market, causing the method of fertilizing to change in the next years towards a more sustainable fertilization.