A Hydroponic System That Saves Space and Water While Providing Nutrients – Recently, scientists have developed a special fertilizer made from human hair for growing these vegetables.
Our hair contains a significant amount of a protein called keratin, which is composed of amino acids. These acids promote plant growth and can also bind with other nutrients.
1 gram of hair can “nourish” 3 medium-sized growing plants – (Image: Science)
For these reasons, keratin can create an excellent hydroponic environment. However, it is not strong enough to serve as a physical support medium for plants.
Recently, researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore collected hair clippings from salons and extracted keratin from these strands. They then mixed the keratin with cellulose fibers derived from wood pulp.
This mixture, when dried, forms a porous material that is highly effective in absorbing and retaining liquid nutrient solutions. It can also biodegrade within 4-8 weeks, becoming fertilizer in the process.
Studies show that plants grown in a keratin environment have longer roots compared to those grown in traditional settings because they absorb more water and nutrients.
Researchers Dr. Zhao Zhitong and Professor Ng Kee Woei, the inventors, beside the final product – (Image: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY)
The researchers noted that if there isn’t enough hair for large-scale production, they could utilize other sources. “In addition to hair, the livestock industry also produces a significant amount of keratin. It is found abundantly in horns, hooves, and feathers,” said the lead scientist of the study, Professor Ng Kee Woei.
“Keratin can be extracted from various types of agricultural waste. Therefore, developing a hydroponic substrate based on keratin could be an important strategy for recycling agricultural waste as part of sustainable agriculture,” Woei added.
