The application and development of biopolymers as water storage and macronutrient release systems are attractive due to their biocompatibility and high bioavailability in the environment. Cassava gum is a polysaccharide obtained from tubers, consisting of 80–86 % starch, with an excellent ability to form a hydrogel. The objective of this research was the synthesis of hydrogels from the copolymerization of cassava gum and polyacrylamide. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, a scanning electron microscope, and porosity to understand the formation of the new hydrogel better. The hydrogel was studied for its swelling capacity at different pH levels, its controlled release of macronutrients, and its toxicity test against . The swelling study shows that the hydrogels have better water absorption in more neutral media with expansion capacity (∼ 270 folds). Phosphate release began 30 min after contact with the medium and remained constant after 24 h in solution, with the hydrogels not demonstrating toxicity. Hydrogels formed satisfactorily with and without phosphate incorporated into the polymeric matrix, thus resulting in a superabsorbent and promising material for the controlled release of macronutrients.

中文翻译：

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来自木薯胶（Manihot esculenta）的超吸水性水凝胶，可释放水和大量营养素


生物聚合物作为储水和大量营养素释放系统的应用和开发由于其生物相容性和在环境中的高生物利用度而具有吸引力。木薯胶是从块茎中提取的多糖，由 80-86% 淀粉组成，具有极好的形成水凝胶的能力。本研究的目的是通过木薯胶和聚丙烯酰胺的共聚合成水凝胶。该材料通过 X 射线衍射、傅里叶变换红外光谱、热重分析、扫描电子显微镜和孔隙率进行表征，以更好地了解新型水凝胶的形成。研究了水凝胶在不同 pH 水平下的溶胀能力、常量营养素的控制释放以及对 的毒性测试。溶胀研究表明，水凝胶在更中性的介质中具有更好的吸水性，并且具有膨胀能力（〜270倍）。磷酸盐在与介质接触后 30 分钟开始释放，并在溶液中 24 小时后保持恒定，水凝胶未表现出毒性。无论是否将磷酸盐掺入聚合物基质中，水凝胶都能令人满意地形成，从而产生超吸收性且有前途的用于控制大量营养素释放的材料。