K-State doctoral candidate Roselle Barretto is turning hempseed proteins into a powerful, eco-friendly adhesive
If you’ve ever used furniture glue or any commercial-grade adhesive, you know that its smell is a toxically strong one. That’s because glue contains toxic chemicals like formaldehyde that not only release harmful emissions but also come from non-renewable sources.
K-State’s Roselle Barretto, a doctoral candidate in biological and agricultural engineering, is developing a greener adhesive solution that also benefits the agricultural industry. He has received a $2,500 award to recognize his doctoral work.
His project demonstrates how hempseed proteins, when properly extracted and chemically modified, can match the adhesion properties of glues used for furniture, flooring and construction, without the toxic chemicals.
Barretto extracts the proteins and tests the adhesive on dry, wet or soaked wood to assess performance under different environments. So far, his adhesive has matched those of other leading commercial glues.
“My goal is to find a safer, greener alternative without sacrificing performance,” Barretto said. “We can reduce environmental impact, adding value to crops like hempseed, which already grows quicker and requires fewer resources to grow than other plants.”
This research could increase demand for hempseed, widening the agricultural opportunities for farmers.
“Sometimes the key to a cleaner future can come from something as simple as a seed,” Barretto said.
By Kate Ellwood
Curated from Groundbreaking graduate work recognized by K-State’s highest-ranking professors