MINERAL FERTILIZER PROTOTYPING

Description

/ 4 MINERAL FERTILIZER PROTOTYPING Field of Invention

[001] The present invention relates to the field of agricultural fertilization, specifically the prototyping of mineral fertilizers derived from organic waste, more precisely from eggshells. The developed fertilizer can be classified as an organomineral fertilizer that utilizes a biological matrix composed of macro and micronutrients essential for plant growth. This invention applies directly to the agricultural sector, with an emphasis on the sustainable production of fertilizers and the reduction of environmental liabilities arising from the use of traditional chemical fertilizers. Fundamentals of the Invention

[002] Chemical fertilizers have been widely used in agriculture due to their mass production, low cost, and high efficiency in delivering essential nutrients. However, the excessive use of these fertilizers results in negative environmental impacts, such as altering soil ecology and global warming caused by the emission of nitrogen compounds. The growing concern for sustainability in agriculture has driven research into more environmentally friendly and low-impact alternatives.

[003] Among the alternatives, eggshells stand out as a rich source of minerals, especially calcium, which is essential for plant development. Studies indicate that eggshells contain up to 95% calcium carbonate, in addition to other nutrients such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. Furthermore, the chorioallantoic membrane of the eggshell contains amino acids that can be released into the soil through appropriate chemical processes. The use of organic waste, such as eggshells, in the development of fertilizers, not only contributes Petition 870240111424, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 7 / 14 / 4 for the reduction of environmental liabilities as well as adding value to a previously underutilized waste product.

[004] This project proposes an organic mineral fertilizer, developed from eggshell waste, that is capable of supplying macro and micronutrients to plants, promoting healthy and sustainable growth, with lower production costs when compared to traditional chemical fertilizers. Brief Description of the Drawings

[005] For better understanding, the invention has the following drawing listed below: Figure 1 shows the formation of the ear of corn, the one on the left with commercial chemical fertilizer and the one on the right with the mineral fertilizer tested. Description of the Invention

[006] The invention consists of the formulation and production of a mineral fertilizer from eggshell waste, using a chemical process to release nutrients essential for plant growth. The production process involves the following steps: 1. Crushing the eggshell: The shell is crushed to facilitate hydrolysis and nutrient extraction. 2. Hydrolysis in a basic medium (pH 9.0): The crushed peel is subjected to hydrolysis in a basic medium, under constant heating and agitation, to promote the release of minerals and amino acids. 3. Filtration and decantation: After the hydrolysis process, the resulting solution is filtered, separating the solid phase from the liquid phase. The liquid phase contains the mineral nutrients and amino acids, while the solid phase is composed of hyaluronic acid. Petition 870240111424, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 8 / 14 / 4

[007] The mineral fertilizer obtained is a liquid solution rich in macro and micronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and other minerals necessary for the healthy development of plants. Examples of Implementations of the Invention

[008] Examples of implementation include the experimental process conducted at the Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC) Campus Concórdia, where mineral fertilizer derived from eggshells was tested on corn crops. The experimental design used was randomized blocks (RCBD) with two treatments: (i) Commercial Chemical Fertilizer (T1) and (ii) Eggshell Mineral Fertilizer (T2).

[016]

[009] The results indicated that the developed mineral fertilizer showed better performance in plant growth, with greater ear formation and healthy development, when compared to commercial chemical fertilizer. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the organic fertilizer, with lower production costs and less environmental impact.

[010] Comparative results from agronomic testing indicated that nutrient absorption by plants was significantly better in the treatment with mineral fertilizer derived from eggshells, showing that this product can be a viable alternative to chemical fertilizers, offering both economic and environmental benefits. Advantages of the Invention

[011] Low production cost: The use of eggshell waste significantly reduces raw material costs.

[012] Agronomic efficiency: Mineral fertilizer provides better nutrient absorption by plants, resulting in higher productivity.

[013] Sustainability: The invention contributes to the reduction of environmental liabilities by using organic waste and promoting the reduction of the use of chemical fertilizers. Petition 870240111424, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 9 / 14 / 4

[014] Application in various crops: Although the test was conducted with corn, the mineral fertilizer can be adapted for other agricultural crops.

[015] Eggshell-derived mineral fertilizer presents itself as an innovative and sustainable solution for agriculture, with characteristics that make it competitive with traditional chemical fertilizers. In addition to being a low-cost option, the fertilizer has high agronomic performance and significantly contributes to reducing environmental impacts caused by excessive fertilization with chemicals. The invention represents an advanced technical solution for the development of more ecological and economical fertilizers, adding value to organic waste. Petition 870240111424, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 10 / 14

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1. Mineral Fertilizer Prototype characterized by containing eggshell residues processed by hydrolysis in a basic medium (pH 9.0), releasing macro and micronutrients essential for plant development, including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium.

2. A process for producing the mineral fertilizer as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by involving the following steps: (a) grinding eggshells; (b) hydrolyzing the ground eggshells in a basic medium under constant heating and stirring; (c) filtering the resulting solution, separating the solid phase from the liquid phase; and (d) decanting the liquid phase, resulting in a phase rich in amino acids and minerals, and a solid phase composed of hyaluronic acid.

3. Organomineral mineral fertilizer, as described in Claims 1 and 2, characterized by having an NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) base, with the addition of calcium, present in the biological matrix of eggshell and its chorioallantoic membrane.

4. Mineral fertilizer composition as claimed in Claims 1 to 3, characterized by being formulated from eggshell waste, and suitable for application in various agricultural crops to supply essential nutrients.

5. Method for evaluating the performance of the mineral fertilizer as claimed in Claims 1 to 4, characterized by involving experimental field tests with corn crops, using the randomized complete block design (RCBD), with two treatments: commercial chemical fertilizer and mineral fertilizer.

6. Mineral fertilizer as described in Claims 1 to 5, characterized by having a low manufacturing cost and being able to replace traditional chemical fertilizers in the agricultural market.

7. Mineral fertilizer as described in Claims 1 to 6, characterized by being produced in a simple and efficient manner, using low environmental impact technology, from organic eggshell waste.

8. Mineral fertilizer as described in Claims 1 to 7, characterized by having low toxicity potential, as indicated by Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD) tests, demonstrating safety for agricultural use. Petition 870240111424, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 12 / 14

Images