Seed paper and preparation method and application thereof

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of degradable materials, and provides seed paper as well as a preparation method and application thereof. The seed paper provided by the invention mainly comprises the water-soluble natural polysaccharide, the paper-based material and the seeds, and by adding the degradable water-soluble natural polysaccharide, the degradable water-soluble natural polysaccharide can be used as an adhesive of the seed paper to replace adhesives such as industrial glue or vegetable glue, so that the hardness and the bearing capacity of the seed paper are improved, and the application range of the seed paper is widened; the water-soluble natural polysaccharide is safe, green and environment-friendly, decomposition products are harmless to soil, the forming effect of the prepared seed paper is the same as that of common paper, and the situation that fibers are dispersed and cannot be combined does not occur. The water-soluble natural polysaccharide can be dissolved in water, the dissolving efficiency of the seed paper is improved, nutrients can be provided for germination and growth of the seeds, and the germination efficiency of the seeds is improved. The seed paper provided by the invention is not only suitable for packaging materials and decorative materials, but also suitable for water-based cultivation, the use of soil is avoided, and the seed paper is not influenced by soil texture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of degradable materials, and more particularly to seed paper and a preparation method and application thereof. Background Art

[0002] Paper-based packaging is very common in various products. Currently, most product packaging materials (such as e-cigarette packaging) are usually made of biodegradable materials, such as biodegradable plastic bags and pure virgin wood pulp.

[0003] Seed paper is a new type of environmentally friendly paper containing plant seeds. It can be buried in the soil and left to germinate and grow into plants. While seed paper is commonly used in seamless paper products like cards, postcards, and coasters, it's less commonly used in packaging. This is primarily due to its limited strength and load-bearing capacity, the fact that it's typically handmade, resulting in low production efficiency and inconsistent product quality from batch to batch.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a seed paper with high hardness, high load-bearing capacity and wide application range. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art. To this end, the present invention provides seed paper, its preparation method, and its application. The seed paper provided by the present invention is not only strong and has a high load-bearing capacity, making it suitable for use as packaging and decorative materials, but is also suitable for water-based cultivation, has a wide range of applications, is biodegradable, and is safe and environmentally friendly.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a seed paper.

[0007] Specifically, a seed paper is provided, wherein the raw material components of the seed paper include: water-soluble natural polysaccharide, paper-based material and seeds, and the seeds are dispersed in a network formed by the water-soluble natural polysaccharide and the paper-based material.

[0008] The present invention uses water-soluble natural polysaccharides as the main raw material component of seed paper. This is not only biodegradable but also acts as an adhesive. The network formed between the water-soluble natural polysaccharide and the paper-based material improves the hardness and load-bearing capacity of the seed paper, expanding its application range. In addition, the seeds are dispersed in the network formed by the water-soluble natural polysaccharide and the paper-based material, which can effectively fix the seeds and prevent them from falling during transportation. The water-soluble natural polysaccharide is characterized by its rapid dissolution in water, which can improve the dissolution efficiency of the seed paper and provide nutrients for the germination and growth of seeds, thereby improving the efficiency of seed germination.

[0009] Preferably, the water-soluble natural polysaccharide is at least one of alginate, water-soluble chitosan, and dextran; and / or the paper-based material is at least one of cotton fiber, flax fiber, and pine fiber.

[0010] Further preferably, the water-soluble natural polysaccharide is sodium alginate, and / or the paper-based material is cotton fiber. Sodium alginate fertilizer has a significant effect in promoting crop growth and improving the quality and yield of agricultural products.

[0011] Preferably, the seeds are at least one of daisy seeds, mint leaf seeds, cosmos seeds, and wild flower seeds.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for preparing seed paper.

[0013] A method for preparing seed paper comprises the following steps:

[0014] The paper-based material is prepared into pulp, water-soluble natural polysaccharide and pulp are mixed, seeds are added to obtain pre-slurry; the pre-slurry is used for papermaking to obtain wet paper sheets, a cross-linking agent is added for cross-linking reaction, and the paper sheets are dried to obtain the seed paper.

[0015] The preparation method provided by the present invention is simple and easy to operate, can be used for large-scale industrial production, and improves production efficiency and stability between product batches.

[0016] Preferably, the water-soluble natural polysaccharide is first prepared into a water-soluble natural polysaccharide solution, and then mixed with the seeds. The mass concentration of the water-soluble natural polysaccharide solution is 1wt%-5wt%.

[0017] Preferably, the weight ratio of the water-soluble natural polysaccharide to pulp is (3-5):1.

[0018] Preferably, the cross-linking agent is first prepared into a cross-linking agent solution, and then the cross-linking agent is added to cause a cross-linking reaction, wherein the mass concentration of the cross-linking agent solution is 1 wt%-5 wt%.

[0019] Preferably, the cross-linking agent solution is a divalent metal salt solution.

[0020] Further preferably, the cross-linking agent solution is a calcium salt solution.

[0021] More preferably, the cross-linking agent solution is a calcium chloride solution or a calcium carbonate solution.

[0022] Preferably, the ratio of the mass concentration of the water-soluble natural polysaccharide solution to the mass concentration of the cross-linking agent solution is 1:(1-2).

[0023] Preferably, the mass of the seeds accounts for 0.1 wt% to 1 wt% of the total mass of the water-soluble natural polysaccharide and the pulp.

[0024] Further preferably, the mass of the seeds accounts for 0.2 wt%-0.5 wt% of the total mass of the water-soluble natural polysaccharide and the pulp.

[0025] Preferably, the temperature of the cross-linking reaction is 20-35° C., and / or the time of the cross-linking reaction is 1-10 min.

[0026] Preferably, the drying temperature is 25-35° C., and / or the drying time is 1-3 hours.

[0027] Preferably, the drying method is oven drying or natural air drying. The drying method selected in the present invention is beneficial to maintaining the activity and integrity of the seeds.

[0028] A third aspect of the present invention provides a use of seed paper.

[0029] The invention relates to an application of seed paper in packaging materials, decorative materials or water-based cultivation.

[0030] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0031] The seed paper provided by the present invention includes water-soluble natural polysaccharides, paper-based materials and seeds as main raw material components. By adding degradable water-soluble natural polysaccharides, it can not only be used as an adhesive for seed paper, replacing adhesives such as industrial glue or plant glue, and improving the hardness and load-bearing capacity of seed paper, thereby broadening the application range of seed paper, but also the water-soluble natural polysaccharides are safe, green and environmentally friendly, and the decomposition products are harmless to the soil. The molding effect of the seed paper prepared by the present invention is no different from that of ordinary paper, and there is no situation where the fibers are dispersed and cannot be combined. In addition, the water-soluble natural polysaccharides are soluble in water, which can improve the dissolution efficiency of the seed paper, and can also provide nutrients for the germination and growth of seeds, thereby improving the germination efficiency of seeds. The seed paper provided by the present invention is not only suitable for packaging materials and decorative materials, but also suitable for water-based cultivation, eliminating the use of soil and being unaffected by soil quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the germination of the seed paper prepared in Example 1 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to make the technical solution of the present invention more clearly understood by those skilled in the art, the following examples are given for illustration. It should be noted that the following examples do not limit the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0034] Unless otherwise specified, the raw materials, reagents, or devices used in the following examples can be obtained from conventional commercial sources or by existing known methods.

[0035] The raw materials used in the present invention are:

[0036] Daisy seeds: purchased from Ouyuan Gardening flagship store.

[0037] Mint leaf seeds: purchased from Ouyuan Gardening flagship store.

[0038] Wildflower seeds: purchased from Ouyuan Gardening flagship store.

[0039] The seeds purchased by the present invention are all easy to germinate, so their germination time is relatively short.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] The invention discloses seed paper, whose raw material components include sodium alginate, cotton fiber and small daisy seeds dispersed in a network formed by the sodium alginate and cotton fiber.

[0042] A method for preparing seed paper comprises the following steps:

[0043] Add 50g of sodium alginate powder to 1000mL of water at 90°C. Stir with a mechanical stirrer at 1200r / min until the solution becomes a transparent gel. Add 5g of cotton fiber slurry and continue stirring at this temperature to obtain a sodium alginate-paper pulp solution. When the temperature drops to 30°C, sprinkle 1g of daisy seeds into the sodium alginate-paper pulp solution and stir until evenly dispersed and white cotton fiber particles are visible in the water, thus obtaining a pre-slurry. Use a papermaking frame to scoop paper from this pre-slurry and spread it flat to obtain wet paper sheets. Add 10g of calcium chloride granules to 200mL of water and stir until the calcium chloride is completely dissolved, thus obtaining a calcium chloride solution. Use a dropper to drip the calcium chloride solution into the papermaking frame to allow a cross-linking reaction to occur. After 5 minutes, rinse with clean water and dry in a 30°C oven for 2 hours to produce seed paper.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] The invention discloses seed paper, whose raw material components include sodium alginate, cotton fiber and mint leaf seeds dispersed in a network formed by the sodium alginate and cotton fiber.

[0046] A method for preparing seed paper comprises the following steps:

[0047] Add 30g of sodium alginate powder to 1000mL of water at 90°C and stir with a mechanical stirrer at 1200r / min until the solution becomes a transparent gel. Then, add 5g of cotton fiber slurry and continue stirring at this temperature to obtain a sodium alginate-paper pulp solution. When the temperature drops to 30°C, sprinkle 1g of mint seeds into the sodium alginate-paper pulp solution and stir until evenly dispersed, with distinct white cotton fiber particles visible in the water. This creates a pre-slurry. Use a papermaking frame to scoop paper from the pre-slurry and spread it flat to obtain wet paper sheets. Place 6g of calcium chloride granules in 200mL of water and stir manually until the calcium chloride is completely dissolved, creating a calcium chloride solution. Use a dropper to drip the calcium chloride solution into the papermaking frame for a cross-linking reaction. After 5 minutes, rinse with clean water and dry in a 30°C oven for 2 hours to produce seed paper.

[0048] Example 3

[0049] The invention discloses seed paper, whose raw material components include sodium alginate, cotton fiber and wild flower seeds dispersed in a network formed by the sodium alginate and cotton fiber.

[0050] A method for preparing seed paper comprises the following steps:

[0051] Add 10g of sodium alginate powder to 1000mL of water at 90°C. Stir with a mechanical stirrer at 1200 rpm until the solution becomes a transparent gel. Add 5g of cotton fiber slurry and continue stirring at this temperature to obtain a sodium alginate-paper pulp solution. When the temperature drops to 30°C, sprinkle 1g of seeds into the sodium alginate-paper pulp solution and stir until evenly dispersed, with distinct white cotton fiber particles visible in the water. This creates a pre-slurry. Use a papermaking frame to scoop paper from the pre-slurry and spread it flat to obtain wet paper sheets. Place 2g of calcium chloride granules in 200mL of water and stir manually until the calcium chloride is completely dissolved, creating a calcium chloride solution. Use a dropper to drip the calcium chloride solution into the papermaking frame for a cross-linking reaction. After 5 minutes, rinse with clean water and dry in a 30°C oven for 2 hours to produce seed paper.

[0052] Comparative Example 1

[0053] This comparative example is commercially available seed paper purchased from Youteng Paper Industry, which contains daisy seeds.

[0054] Comparative Example 2

[0055] This comparative example is commercially available seed paper purchased from Youteng Paper Industry, which contains mint leaf seeds.

[0056] Comparative Example 3

[0057] The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is that sodium alginate is replaced by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), an adhesive for papermaking, and calcium chloride is not added.

[0058] Product effect testing

[0059] 1. Molding effect

[0060] The surface forming conditions and cotton fiber dispersion conditions of the seed papers of the embodiments and comparative examples were observed and compared.

[0061] Depend on Figure 1 As can be seen, the seed paper produced in Example 1 of the present invention has the same molding effect as ordinary paper, with no problem of cotton fibers being dispersed and unable to bond. This proves that by adding sodium alginate instead of existing industrial glue, the present invention can produce paper with better molding effect. The molding effect of the seed paper produced in Examples 2-3 is comparable to that of Example 1.

[0062] 2. Load-bearing conditions

[0063] Papers prepared from the seed papers of the examples and comparative examples were respectively made into 10×10 cm paper bags, and items were placed into the bags while increasing the weight until the bags broke.

[0064] The results showed that the seed papers provided by Examples 1-3 of the present invention did not break even after being placed on a 60g weight and suspended for 2 hours, demonstrating their high hardness and load-bearing capacity. Comparative Examples 1-3, while not breaking, showed signs of chipping at the creases.

[0065] 3. Seed Germination Time Test: Equal-sized seed papers from each example and comparative example were shredded into similar sizes and placed in paper cups. Water of equal mass was added, with the water level aligned with the highest point of the paper in the cup. The paper cups were placed in the same environment (ambient temperature 24°C, humidity 45%-67%, indoor environment) and the seeds were observed for germination. "Germination" here refers to the appearance of thin, short sprouts, even though the seeds have not yet fully broken through the shell.

[0066] Table 1 Seed germination of each embodiment and comparative example

[0067]

[0068]

[0069] As shown in the results in the table above, the seed development time of the seed papers provided in Examples 1-3 of the present invention was significantly shorter than that of the seed papers purchased in Comparative Examples 1-2 and Comparative Example 3. This indicates that the addition of sodium alginate in the present invention not only acts as an adhesive, forming a cross-linked network with the fibers, improving the hardness and load-bearing capacity of the seed paper, but also serves as an excellent bio-based seaweed fertilizer, providing nutrients for the seeds. However, Comparative Example 3, in which sodium alginate is replaced with PVA, resulted in a much longer germination time than the seed papers provided in Examples 1-3 of the present invention.

[0070] After soaking the seed papers from the various examples and comparative examples used in the "seed germination time test" for two weeks, the soaked samples were removed. It was found that over 90% of the seed papers prepared in Examples 1-3 had dissolved into small clumps and flakes, while over 40% of the seed papers purchased in Comparative Examples 1-2 remained as large clumps. This indicates that the seed papers of the present invention dissolve faster than commercially available seed papers.

Claims

1. A seed paper, characterized in that: The raw material components of the seed paper include: water-soluble natural polysaccharide, paper-based material and seeds. The seeds are dispersed in a network formed by the water-soluble natural polysaccharide and the paper-based material.

2. The seed paper according to claim 1, characterized in that The water-soluble natural polysaccharide is at least one of alginate, water-soluble chitosan, and dextran; and / or the paper-based material is at least one of cotton fiber, flax fiber, and pine fiber.

3. A method for preparing seed paper, characterized in that: The steps include: The paper-based material is prepared into pulp, water-soluble natural polysaccharide and pulp are mixed, seeds are added to obtain pre-slurry; the pre-slurry is used for papermaking to obtain wet paper sheets, a cross-linking agent is added for cross-linking reaction, and the paper sheets are dried to obtain the seed paper.

4. The preparation method according to claim 3, characterized in that The water-soluble natural polysaccharide is first prepared into a water-soluble natural polysaccharide solution, which is then mixed with the seeds. The mass concentration of the water-soluble natural polysaccharide solution is 1wt%-5wt%.

5. The preparation method according to claim 3, characterized in that The weight ratio of the water-soluble natural polysaccharide to the pulp is (3-5):

1.

6. The preparation method according to claim 3, characterized in that The cross-linking agent is first prepared into a cross-linking agent solution, and then the cross-linking agent is added to cause a cross-linking reaction. The mass concentration of the cross-linking agent solution is 1wt%-5wt%.

7. The preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that The cross-linking agent solution is a divalent metal salt solution.

8. The preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that The ratio of the mass concentration of the water-soluble natural polysaccharide solution to the mass concentration of the cross-linking agent solution is 1:(1-2).

9. The preparation method according to claim 3, characterized in that The temperature of the cross-linking reaction is 20-35° C., and / or the time of the cross-linking reaction is 1-10 min.

10. Use of the seed paper according to claim 1 or 2 in packaging materials, decorative materials or water-based cultivation.

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