Study on preparation of hydrogel by radiation processing for applying in treatment of livestock waste

Abstract

The super water-adsorbsion hydrogels were prepared by radiation grafting of the polymer mixture of starch, CMC and alginate with acrylic acid (AAc) in ratio of 10% polymer and 20% AAc in water (w/v). The hydrogel with a gel fraction of ~65.4% and a water swelling degree of ~234 (g H2 O/g gel) prepared by radiation grafting of AAc onto starch at 4 kGy was suitable for adsorption of liquid part in cattle waste. The supplementation of the above hydrogel into the cow manure treated with Tricoderma increased the degradation yield of cellulose by ~5% after 45 days incubation. The optimum condition for supplementation of the hydrogel was determined by mixing 1% dried hydrogel with cattle waste. The fermented product using the hydrogel showed a better effect on the growth and development of the tested Chinese cabbage (Brassica Pe-tsai Bailey L.).