The team, consisting of NTU’s Professor Ng Kee Woei and Professor Hu Xiao as well as seven other researchers from NTU and Harvard University, used keratin extracted from hair to create a sustainable substitute for growth mediums used in urban farming.
ivestock farming also produces large amounts of keratin as biowastes, as it is found abundantly in wool, horns, hooves and feathers“Since keratin can be extracted from many types of farm wastes, developing keratin-based hydroponic substrates could be an important strategy for recycling farm wastes as part of sustainable agriculture,” he said.
These growth mediums, usually made from non-sustainable and non-biodegradable materials like rockwool, polyurethane and phenolic foams, create more waste when farmers throw them away after use. The keratin-cellulose substrate could also be tailored to each plant’s specific nutritional needs to help enhance germination, crop yield and overall plant health.
The keratin is then combined with the cellulose fibre to strengthen the substrate and improve its water swelling capabilities.