Biocomposite Beads Based on Phosphogypsum and Spirulina for Culture Bed Systems (Media Bed System): Manufacturing Process and Application in the Cultivation of Cucurbitaceae

Abstract

<pre>The present invention relates to innovative biocomposite beads based on phosphogypsum and freeze-dried spirulina, specially designed to be used as a complementary substrate in culture bed systems (Media Bed System). These biocomposite beads are made from a mixture of phosphogypsum and spirulina encapsulated in a sodium alginate matrix, which is gelled by the addition of calcium chloride. The manufacturing process includes steps of drying the phosphogypsum, incorporation into a gelling solution, stirring, microwave irradiation, and formation of beads by gelation. The beads obtained, whose dimensions vary between 1 mm and 1 cm in diameter, are optimized to improve the retention of water and nutrients in cultivation systems, thus promoting the growth of plants, in particular those of the Cucurbitaceae family. The invention also proposes a culture system using these beads, offering increased efficiency in the assimilation of phosphorus contained in phosphogypsum.< / pre>