Modeling and kinetic analysis of structural disintegration and biodegradation of biocomposite cultivating pots from agricultural waste

Abstract

Abstract The growing global need for sustainable alternatives to synthetic plastics in agriculture has accelerated the development of biodegradable biocomposite cultivating pots derived from renewable agricultural residues. This study elucidates the biodegradation kinetics and structural disintegration mechanisms of cultivating pots formulated from palm wax, Lanette wax, and lignocellulosic fillers, including sugarcane bagasse, peat moss, compost, vermiculite, and activated carbon. The influence of mercerization pretreatment on degradation performance was systematically evaluated through disintegration assays, CO 2 mineralization measurements, FTIR–ATR spectroscopy, and advanced kinetic modeling. After 90 days of composting, disintegration reached 64.18%, 66.70%, 67.20%, and 59.73% for P, PW, L, and LW pots, respectively, while carbon mineralization attained 65.98%, 70.53%, 70.08%, and 77.00%, indicating substantial biodegradation activity. Lanette wax-based composites containing pretreated fibers exhibited the most pronounced biodegradation response. Three kinetic models (Hill Sigmoid, Keursten, and soil respiration) were employed to describe the biodegradation behavior, among which the Hill Sigmoid model provided the best fit (R 2  > 0.97), accurately capturing the non-linear kinetics of carbon release. FTIR spectral analysis confirmed progressive cleavage of C–O, C–H, and C=O bonds associated with cellulose, hemicellulose, and waxy matrices, evidencing microbial depolymerization. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and electrical conductivity were the most influential parameters governing biodegradation dynamics. Although the pots did not fully achieve the ISO 20200:2015 criterion of 90% disintegration within 90 days, their substantial degradation rates underscore strong potential for application in short-cycle crop cultivation. This study introduces a combined kinetic multivariate analytical framework for evaluating biocomposite degradation, offering predictive insights into compositional functional relationships. The findings advance the scientific basis for designing next-generation compostable pots, promoting soil health, waste valorization, and circular bioeconomy strategies in sustainable agriculture. Further optimization of filler composition and incorporation of bioactive additives is recommended to accelerate degradation and enhance regulatory compliance.