Successful utilization of waste cooking oil in Neem oil based fungicide formulation as an economic and eco-friendly green solvent for sustainable waste management

摘要

This study opens new gateway to manage the rising increments of WCO (water cooking oil) and give safer and green agriculture product for pest management. The goal was also to explore the economic and industrial feasibility of WCO as an alternate source to persistent toxic, non-renewable petroleum solvents. So, processed (transesterified) WCO and aromatic hydrocarbon solvent (C_9) based EC formulations were developed and different physico-chemical properties including physical appearance, acidity/alkalinity, flashpoint, emulsion stability, shelf-life, droplet size, interfacial tension, and so on were comparatively assessed as per CIPAC (Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council) protocols using Abel flashpoint apparatus, particle size analyzer, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and spinning drop tensiometer (SDT). Assessment results proved that WCO-based formulation is more stable with brown color, low odor, high flashpoint (282.16 K) compared to solvent (C_9) based with less stable (crystallization/sedimentation), light colored, high smell, low flashpoint (268.46 K). Interfacial tension reading in WCO-based EC indicated good dispersion with no creaming or sedimentation. Furthermore, stability and compatibility study of active constituents recorded 1.28% and 50% degradation in WCO and solvent-based formulations, respectively. WCO-based EC inhibited 90% whereas C_9 based formulations reduced only 68% growth of Rhizoctonia solani. WCO-based EC is also free from dermal toxicity, inhalation hazards, and phytotoxicity. Finally, average cost-effectiveness and economic advantages were calculated and found significantly superior to C_9 based EC. Waste cooking oil can be ecologically, economically, and commercially explored as an alternate green solvent and resourceful waste management.