Low-density Polypropylene Research Articles

Assessment of Microbial and Physicochemical Properties of Pasta Prepared Using Buckwheat, Chickpea Flour

Pasta is a sustainable product that improves the nutritional quality of food pyramids. The present study focused on innovative approaches for pasta preparation, with a particular emphasis on the utilization of alternative ingredients and different packaging materials. The pasta using buckwheat and chickpea flour was prepared and analyzed with respect to storage and packaging conditions for optimal targeting cold pasta extrudates. Therefore, the developed pasta extrudates from buckwheat, chickpea and xanthan gum were packed in two different packaging materials viz; low density polypropylene (LDPE) and Aluminium laminate (AL) and kept under ambient and accelerated conditions for a storage period of 90 days. All the samples were evaluated for moisture content, free fatty acids, water activity (aw), sensory analysis and total plate count (TPC) in both the packaging materials. The results indicated the significant (p<0.05) increase in moisture content from 5.71 % to 7.31 % in LDPE and 5.71 % to 6.35 % in Aluminium laminate (AL). Water activity also showed significant (p<0.05) increase from 0.33 to 0.49 in LDPE and 0.33 to 0.47 in AL. The free fatty acids in prepared pasta resulted in increase during storage period of 90 days from 0.12-0.30 (%). However, total plate count of developed product did not show any microbial growth during storage period of 60 days, and there was slight increase in TPC on 90th day of storage period of 0.81 (cfu/g ×102) in LDPE and 0.52 (cfu/g ×102) in AL, which is consumer acceptable as per BIS. Thus, the buckwheat and chickpea flour incorporated with xanthan gum as additive can be used significantly for the preparation of pasta.

Modifications for Making Paving Blocks from Teak Wood Powder Ash (Tectona grandis L.f.) and LDPE (Low Density Polypropylene) Plastic Waste

<p>Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakteristik abu serbuk kayu jati <em>(Tectona gramdis L.f)</em>, karakteristik <em>paving block</em>, dan komposisi terbaik pembuatan <em>paving block</em> dari limbah plastik LDPE <em>(Low Density Polypropylene)</em> dengan bahan campuran abu serbuk kayu jati. Karakterisasi abu serbuk kayu jati dilakukan menggunakan XRF <em>(X-Ray Fluorescence).</em> Hasil XRF menunjukkan silika yang terdapat pada abu serbuk gergaji kayu jati sebanyak 4,47%. Kombinasi abu serbuk kayu jati dan limbah plastik LDPE dalam pembuatan <em>paving block</em> belum berhasil dilakukan karena penyusunan formulasi yang tidak tepat, sehingga pengujian karakteristik <em>paving block </em>tidak dapat dilakukan.</p>

The effect of mechanized shelling and packaging on the quality of melon seeds

A comparative study was carried out between mechanized shelling and manual shelling of Egusi-melon seeds and the effect of different packaging materials on some quality attributes of shelled Egusi-melon seeds(Bara and Serewe). Egusi-melon seeds were manually shelled and mechanically shelled using the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) mechanical melon Sheller (2018 and 2020 models) and a Rice huller (SB-10D Rice mill). Shelled Egusi-melon seeds were packaged and stored in kraft paper, glass bottles, laminated pouches, and a low-density polypropylene bag for 10 weeks. The Shelling efficiency of different machines compared to manual shelling (control) was evaluated. Manual shelling (control) was the most efficient in terms of output quality. The 2020 NCAM mechanical melon Sheller was the most efficient of the mechanized processes, while the rice huller was the least efficient. The shelled seeds were evaluated for shelling, free fatty acid, and microbial analysis. Results showed that Bara was more efficiently shelled by machines while Serewe was more efficiently shelled manually. Kraft paper seems to reduce seed spoilage over the storage period compared to the other packaging materials, the seeds shelled using the 2020 NCAM mechanical melon Sheller consistently recorded a significantly lower percentage increase in free fatty acid and fungal load. This research has provided valuable insight that selecting a suitable variety, shelling machine, and packaging material is crucial for the overall efficiency and high-quality output of large-scale production of shelled Egusi-melon.

Investigation on the mechanical behaviour and impact of plasma treated polypropylene in carbon fibre composites

This study focused on improved mechanical characteristics for composites using a linear low-density polypropylene (PP) matrix and a carbon fibre (CF) filler. A hand layup process fabricated the material in an oven. Oxygen plasma treatment of the PP matrix enhanced adherence. Before being filtered and dried for manufacture, CF and PP were first combined with standard stirring, ultrasonication, and mechanical stirring. The highest tensile strength was achieved in plasma-treated polypropylene (PPP) with 10 wt% CF, with overall property performance increasing by 13.46 % compared to non-PP with the same CF addition. Tensile strength was reduced from 19.4 MPa to 18.3 MPa when carbon fibers were added at 14 and 16 wt%. As a result of CF aggregation with plasma-treated and untreated PP, tensile strength (TS) was reduced. Better tensile qualities were seen in a factory setting with temperatures of 180 °C for 20 min. After plasma treatment, the PP/8% CF blend had a flexural strength (FS) of 26.19 MPa, which was higher than that of untreated PP by a significant margin.

Application Research of Low-density Polypropylene Materials on Door Trim Panels

Lightweight design is an important indicator in the process of automobile development, including product structure design, using plastic instead of steel and low density materials and other technical solution, this paper studies low density material technology to achieve lightweight automotive parts. The material system of polypropylene (PP)/elastomer/talc blends(PP+EPDM-TD)was selected to study the combination of different types of PP (homopolymer PP and random PP) and talc powder (mesh number and content) in the material formula. With the goal of the performance of the door panel parts, PP materials with 5% (PP+EPDM-TD5), 10% (PP+EPDM-TD10) and 20% (PP+EPDM-TD20) talc content were developed to verify the material properties. 10% and 20% talc content can meet the requirements. Then, the two materials were comprehensively evaluated from the aspects of parts forming analysis, size verification and application cost, and the low-density material (PP+EPDM-TD10) was finally selected for application to meet the lightweight design requirements of parts.

Enhancing the biochemical growth of Haematococcus pluvialis by mitigation of broad-spectrum light stress in wastewater cultures.

In this study, the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis were cultivated in wastewater inoculated into low-density polypropylene plastic air pillows (LDPE-PAPs) under a light stress. The cells were irradiated to different light stresses using white LED lights (WLs) as the control, and broad-spectrum lights (BLs) as a test for the period of 32 days. It was observed that the inoculum (70 × 102 mL-1 cells) of H. pluvialis algal cells increased almost 30 and 40 times in WL and BL, respectively, at day 32 coherent to its biomass productivity. Higher lipid concentration of up to 36.85 μg mL-1 was observed in BL irradiated cells compared to 13.215 μg L-1 dry weight of biomass in WL. The chlorophyll 'a' content was 2.6 times greater in BL (3.46 μg mL-1) compared to that in WL (1.32 μg mL-1) with total carotenoids being about 1.5 times greater in BL compared to WL on day 32. The yield of red pigment 'Astaxanthin' was about 27% greater in BL than in WL. The presence, of different carotenoids including astaxanthin was also confirmed by HPLC, whereas fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were confirmed by GC-MS. This study further confirmed that wastewater alongwith with light stress is suitable for the biochemical growth of H. pluvialis with good biomass yield as well as carotenoid accumulation. Additionally there was 46% reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) in a far more efficient manner when cultured in recycled LDPE-PAP. Such type of cultivation of H. pluvialis made the overall process economical and suitable for upscaling to produce value-added products such as lipids, pigments, biomass, and biofuel for commercial applications.

Microplastic Extraction from Agricultural Soils Using Canola Oil and Unsaturated Sodium Chloride Solution and Evaluation by Incineration Method

Environmental pollution by microplastics (MPs) has become a global problem, but little is known about MPs in soils. This is because MP extraction methods from soils have not yet been standardized. In this study, we tried to establish a simple and economical method to extract soil MPs using the buoyancy of canola oil and the density separation process using sodium chloride (NaCl). In addition, the incineration method was adapted to evaluate the effectiveness of extraction methods precisely. First, the ability and suitability of seven different oils to extract MP from soil were investigated and canola oil was selected. Then, the spiking and recovery test was performed with canola oil and NaCl solution for low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinylchloride (PVC) as follows: (1) soil and MP mixtures were prepared, (2) 5 g L−1 NaCl and canola oil were added and shaken thoroughly, (3) the oil phase containing MPs were separated after sedimentation, (4) the extracted MPs were rinsed with 99.5% ethanol, and (5) the organic adherents to the extracted MPs were digested with hydrogen peroxide. After drying and incineration, the substantial recovery rates were calculated. In the spiking and recovery test for MP particles (<1 mm) from five typical Japanese agricultural soils, the recoveries of LDPE, PP, and PVC were 95.2–98.3%, 95.2–98.7%, and 76.0–80.5%, respectively, higher than those obtained by the density separation using saturated NaCl solution. In conclusion, the method is effective for extracting MPs, especially LDPE and PP, from soils and is less sensitive to soil type, texture, and physicochemical properties.

Application of computed tomography data–based modelling technique for polymeric low density foams, Part B: Characterization of the mechanical behaviour

The non-linear material behaviour of low density polypropylene foams is investigated under several quasi-static loading conditions with a combined modelling technique based on computed tomography data and Voronoi diagrams. A simulation methodology for determining the linear elastic properties is introduced in Hössinger-Kalteis et al. (2021). In this paper, the methodology is extended regarding the material model, where additionally the non-linear region is considered. The model takes into account property determining microstructural features like orientation-dependent cell wall thicknesses and anisotropic cell shapes. Thus, the anisotropic material behaviour under tension and compression load is estimated for extrusion foams with different densities utilizing the microstructural simulation model. Based on the characterized behaviour under tension and compression, constitutive models are generated. These are implemented in bending test simulations due to lower computational effort. The simulation results are validated with experimental results, which shows that the model gives satisfactory results.

Calculating diffusion coefficients from molecular dynamics simulations for foam extrusion modelling of polypropylene with CO2, N2 and ethanol

In foaming processes, the blowing agent has a significant influence on the material behaviour and the necessary processing parameters. Low-density polypropylene foam sheets are usually produced with aliphatic hydrocarbons or alkanes as physical blowing agent. Due to the necessary safety precautions and the environmental impact, there is great interest in using alternative blowing agents such as CO2. The sole use of CO2 often leads to corrugation, open cells or surface defects on the foam sheet and therefore requires modifications to the process technology. For this reason, blowing agent mixtures based on CO2 and organic solvents are used for the production of foam sheets. For developing a process model describing the melt flow in the extrusion die and the formation of cells, specific material data like diffusion coefficients are necessary. For CO2 and N2 as sole blowing agent, experimental data exist in the literature. Since no experimental data are available for co-blowing agents such as ethanol at elevated temperatures as they occur in the foam process, these data were calculated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The benefit of MD simulations lies in their ability to reduce the experimental effort and, in particular, to provide data in cases where this data is not available through experimental measurements. The calculated diffusion coefficient values are compared to experimental data from the literature and presented for CO2, N2 and ethanol in polypropylene. The calculated diffusion coefficients of CO2 and N2 are compared with literature results and agree well with them. For the ethanol molecules, the diffusion coefficient is compared relative to the both aforementioned ones considered the larger size of the ethanol molecule compared to N2 and CO2. The results of the diffusion coefficients for ethanol are reasonable compared to the values found for the other two molecules.

Crops Change the Morphology, Abundance, and Mass of Microplastics in Mollisols of Northeast China.

Degradation of microplastics (MPs) by both physicochemical and biological processes in the natural environment is determined by the enzymes inside the soil, and which was severely influenced by crop growth and straw amendment (SA). However, it is still unclear how crop growth and SA influence degradation of MPs in soils. In this study, both catalase and sucrase were measured, and the stereomicroscope combined with microscopic infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to detect the morphology and quantity of low-density polyethylene microplastic (LDPE-MP) and low-density polypropylene microplastic (LDPP-MP), after crop growth (maize and soybean, with and without SA, 1 and 2% MP) in an outdoor pot experiment, in the Mollisols. The results showed that the growth of the crops changed the morphology, functional groups (e.g., methylene, carbonyl), total mass, and abundance ratio of MPs of different sizes. These were possibly caused by enzymes that were significantly influenced by crop types, abundance, and types of MPs in the soils. Maize growth decreased the mass of LDPE-MP and LDPP-MP by 28.7 and 32.7%, respectively, and 2% (w/w) of LDPP-MP addition in soil decreased mass of 9%, which was higher than that in 1% (w/w) LDPP-MP addition in soil. Soybean growth with SA decreased the mass of LDPE-MP and LDPP-MP by 36.6 and 20.7%, respectively, than the control treatment (CK). Compared with CK, both crop growth and SA changed the abundance of MPs of different sizes and decreased the mean size of MPs. The LDPE-MP could be more easily degraded by enzymes in the soils compared to LDPP-MP when the MP size was smaller with surface roughness. Generally, both maize and soybean growth can accelerate MP change in soils, and MP change process was mainly determined by SA, MP types, and the dose effect of MP.

Transfer of MS2 bacteriophage from surfaces to raspberry and pitanga fruits and virus survival in response to sanitization, frozen storage and preservation technologies.

This study assessed the norovirus (NoV) surrogate bacteriophage MS2 transfer from stainless steel, glass and low-density polypropylene surfaces to raspberry and pitanga fruits. The effect of sodium hypochlorite (100 ppm, 1 min) on MS2 survival on whole fruits, the MS2 survival in sanitized fruits and derived pulps during frozen storage, and in response to preservation technologies (heat, organic acids and salts) was also assessed. The highest (p < 0.05) viral transfer (%) was observed from glass and stainless steel (∼90%) to raspberry, and from glass and polypropylene (∼75%) to pitanga, after 60 min of contact. Sodium hypochlorite reduced (p < 0.05) MS2 titer by 3.5 and 3.8 log PFU/g in raspberry and pitanga, respectively. MS2 decreased (p < 0.05) up to 1.4 log PFU/g in frozen stored sanitized fruits (whole fruits and pulps) after 15 days, with no further changes after 30 days. Thermal treatments reduced MS2 titer (p < 0.05) in both fruit pulps. MS2 inactivation was higher in pitanga pulp. The addition of ascorbic acid, citric acid, sodium benzoate, or sodium metabisulfite had little effect (<1 log PFU/g) on MS2 concentration in either fruit. These results may inform NoV risk management practice in processing and handling of fruits.

Effects of operating variables in adsorption for azo textile dye from wastewater: Optimization of process parameters by Box-Behnken design of RSM: Isothermal and kinetic studies

The removal of dye from azo textile dye using raw wheat bran adsorbent prepared by coating on low-density Polypropylene (PP) particles has been studied by batch experimental studies. The batch adsorption studies have been performed for 36 h. Box–Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM) is utilized to ascertain the impact of initial concentration, adsorbent dose, and pH on the removal of dye. The data obtained from experimental parameters have been analyzed through the fitting of kinetic models such as Pseudo-first order, Pseudo second-order model, Intraparticle diffusion, and Elovich model for dye removal along with correlation or regression coefficient (R2) values. The statistical analyses of the results collected in reaction kinetic modeling portray the superiority of the Pseudo second-order model for both dye removal. In the dye removal, the higher R2 values are seen in case of better suitability of the Pseudo second-order model. The isotherms of adsorption experiments have been performed by employing different adsorption isotherm models such as Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Halsey. It is observed that both isotherms reflect the equilibrium data for dye removal.

Formulation and evaluation of guapeva jam: nutritional properties, bioactive compounds, and volatile compounds during storage

The guapeva (Pouteria cf. gardneriana Radlk.) is a Brazilian fruit that belongs to the Sapotaceae family and is considered a source of natural antioxidants and phenolic compounds; Thus, the objective of this work was to investigate the use of guapeva in the form of jam stored at different temperatures (25 °C and 35 °C) and to evaluate the degradation kinetics regarding the physicochemical parameters, bioactive compounds, and volatile profile, during the storage period of 150 days, in low-density polypropylene packaging’s. The stored jams were mainly influenced by the storage time variable, with significant reductions in titratable acidity, pH, color, vitamin C, carotenoids, ABTS●+, DPPH, and volatile profile. The temperatures studied were not able to significantly affect the shelf life determined for the jams; however, the best temperature for storage stability of the guapeva jams was 25 °C since the most significant degradation of the compounds occurs with the use of 35 °C. The correlation between time and temperature had no significant effect on carotenoid content.

THE EFFECT OF CRYSTALLINITY ON THE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF POLYMERS

The aim of this research is investigating the direct effect of crystallinity of thermoplastic polymers on their thermal conductivity values. The study has included many materials, namely: polyoxymethylene (POM), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polypropylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The degrees of crystallinity ranged from high-values (60-70%), mid-values (30-40%) and low-values (10-20%). The work has done theoretically and experimentally. Theoretical work has used mathematical function extracted from reliable empirical relationships. The experimental work has included: manufacturing the specimens; specifying the cooling procedure in order to get the required degree of crystallinity; measuring the coefficient of thermal conductivity for different polymers at various conditions; and finally analyze the data and introduce the experiences obtained from the investigation. In general, theoretical values as well as experimental data were both behave similarly with respect to the variation of thermal conductivity with the degree of crystallinity. The results show that by increasing the degree of crystallinity the thermal conductivity of the polymer has increased by 10-20%.

Harnessing the In Vitro Nutritional Potential of Different Varieties of Sugarcane Tops Silages Enriched with Molasses and Bacterial Inoculants as an Unconventional Feed Resource

The present study was conducted to explore the nutritional potential of different varieties of sugarcane top silages enriched with molasses or bacterial inoculants as unconventional feed resource. Tops of four sugarcane varieties, i.e., Co 118, CoJ 88, CoPb 93 and CoPb 92, recommended for cultivation in India were collected and evaluated for their chemical composition. Results revealed that tops of sugarcane variety CoPb 93 were lower in crude protein and ether extract content, whereas variety CoPb 92 had lower acid detergent lignin as compared to all tested varieties. Similarly, neutral detergent fiber was lower in variety Co 118 and CoPb 92 as compared to varieties CoJ 88 and CoPb 93. Collected sugarcane tops were ensiled with bacterial inoculants (1 g/ton) and molasses (95:5) for 45 days in low-density polypropylene tubes. The all sugarcane tops varieties with molasses and bacterial inoculants produced good quality silage with pH 4.0% DM and ammonical-N < 10% of total nitrogen. Although molasses-based sugarcane top silages had overall good ensiling potential as compared to bacterial treated silages, overall from the present study, it can be concluded that the molasses-based silages with sugarcane tops variety CoPb 92 followed by variety CoPb 93 have higher potential as unconventional feed resource for livestock.

Thermal-catalytic destruction of polyolephin polymers in presence of LnVO3 and LnVO4

This paper describes non-catalytic and catalytic pyrolysis of plastic waste materials. Four types of waste plastics were used in study: high density polyethylene (PE), low density polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Plastic waste was decomposed into three fractions under pyrolysis conditions: gas, liquid and solid residual. The use of vanadates MeVO4 and vanadites MeVO3 of REM (Me=La, Gd, Lu) as catalysts let to change the yield of the gas fraction and change the composition of the gaseous pyrolysis products. Catalytic decomposition increased the amount of the gaseous products by 15–20 %, reduced the condensate, and changed their composition with regard to the non-catalytic process at the same pyrolysis temperature. The total number of reaction products was determined in each fraction. The quantitative analysis of the composition of the gas fraction was performed by gas-liquid chromatography. The study of non-catalytic pyrolysis of plastics and thermogravimetric analysis let to determine the most favorable temperature conditions for the implementation of the catalytic pyrolysis. The catalytic pyrolysis of plastics was carried out in order to obtain the maximum yield of valuable gaseous products. The synthesized vanadites and vanadates of REM were used as catalysts. When using catalysts based on lanthanum and gadolinium compounds, a regular change in the amount of gaseous substances was observed without significant changes in their composition. The use of lutetium vanadate and lutetium vanadite demonstrated a phenomenal result that is associated with the cardinal change of structure of degradation products of PET. The syngas was obtained instead of acetaldehyde. This result is related to the structure of the used catalyst.

Effect of Storage Conditions on Quality and Shelf Life of Minimally Processed Precut Banana Pseudostem

Minimal processing techniques should provide the market with fresh- like appearance. Fresh-cut vegetables are consumed widely and it is a healthy, nutritional and convenient option. The present study aimed to standardize and develop the minimally processed precut pseudostem. Two banana varieties were selected viz., ottuvazhai (syn Mupaddai) (V1), vayalvazhai (V2) for developing minimally processed product.To prevent browning, different pretreatments such as lemon juice, turmeric powder, curd, salt, water, citric acid, and vinegar were used at 1 to 5 % concentration. Two different packaging materials, viz., aluminum foil (P1) and low-density polypropylene (P2) were used.The chemical composition of banana pseudostem was analyzed. The moisture, browning index, color value and microbial study of the precut pseudostem were analyzed using standard procedures. The quality of minimally processed precut pseudostem was evaluated from the initial day to 9 days at ambient and refrigerated storage conditions. Among the pretreatments, citric acid pretreated precut pseudostem had an effective role against browning reaction.During storage conditions, a minimum changes were observed in Mupaddai variety (V1) precut pseudostem sample. At refrigerated condition, the minimally processed product (V1) from aluminum foil was good upto 9 days of storage condition.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging Reduces Pericarp Browning and Maintains the Quality of ‘Huong Chi’ Longan Fruit (Dimocarpus Longan) Pretreated with Citric Acid

Longan ‘Huong Chi’ (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) is one of the most favorite and widely exported fruits in Vietnam, but the trading of longan faces considerable challenges due to rapid pericarp browning and decay. Our study aimed to determine the effects of modified atmospheres generated by low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene bag (PP), and LifeSpan L201 films on the quality and pericarp browning of ‘Huong Chi’ longan fruit pre-treated with 3.0 % citric acid and stored at 5oC. The results showed that LifeSpan L201 and LDPE packaging created an equilibrium atmosphere of 10.66 ± 0.78% O2, 4.44 ± 0.64% CO2, and 15.04 ± 0.89% O2, 2.96 ± 0.61% CO2, respectively. The modified atmospheres generated by LifeSpan L201 and LDPE delayed pericarp browning, maintained the total soluble solids (TSS) and vitamin C content, and reduced decay in longan fruit. Meanwhile, the PP packaging resulted in an improperly modified atmosphere which led to severe decay and browning in cold storage conditions.

Varieties of Thermoluminescent Dosimeters Used in the Personnel Dosimetry Laboratory in Radiation Protection Institute in Ghana

The Finger ring is made of durable low density polypropylene plastic and is adjustable to fit finger sizes from 16 to 28 mm in diameter. It is available in a variety of colours to identify different body areas. While the Chest badge is used for estimation of the whole body dose, worn at the chest level. The Wrist badge has strap to be worn around wrist.

Struvite recovery from human urine in inverse fluidized bed reactor and evaluation of its fertilizing potential on the growth of Arachis hypogaea

Nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, present in wastewater need to be removed to protect water bodies from the consequences of eutrophication. Among the many possibilities, recovering the nutrients as struvite has become attractive, particularly from the isolated sources of urine stream considering its potential use as a fertilizer akin to Diammonium phosphate (DAP). The present paper deals with studies on the production of struvite from synthetic human urine using an inverse fluidized bed reactor (IFBR) based on the batch process results. Unlike the 85% recovery of struvite for the optimized molar ratios of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate at pH 9.5, the IFBR experiments yielded approximately 95% recovery at optimal operating parameters with respect to condition, size of low density polypropylene particles (6 mm) with density (963 kg/m3) and bed height (45 cm). The purity and microstructure were examined using XRD, SEM / EDS, and Raman spectroscopy. The fertilization efficiency was assessed with struvite application and integrated with nitrogen-fixing Azospirullum rhizobium and phosphate-solubilizing Bacillus megaterium on the growth of Arachis hypogaea plants in the field. Studies conducted along with commonly used DAP on sandy topsoil indicated efficient absorption of struvite by microbes and providing the most encouraging number of seed/pod (capsule) and straw yields (g/plant) comparable to conventional superphosphate DAP. The nutrient availability in the soil was confirmed based on the soil properties before and after harvest. Extensive tests of the plant properties proved the positive agronomic results of struvite fertilization.