Pressure is mounting for the removal and replacement of non-biodegradable chelating agents with alternative, readily biodegradable chelates. The search for a cost effective alternative to NTA (apart EDTA the most frequently used chelating agent) has long been target for many companies.
Such an alternative has to possess a good ecological and toxicological profile. The most important factor is the great strength of the complex formed between the metal ion and the chelating agent and its stability in wide ranges of pH spectrum. The rate of plant uptake of micronutrient should be correlated with the rate of organic compound degradation in environment. Additional requirement; that the product should largely be made from renewable sources, gives the research and development work a new dimension. In conclusion less attention is given NTA due to its carcinogenetic properties whereas MGDA and GLDA meet all of requirements above and thus can be applied as new effective and environmental friendly chelating agents.
Authors: Jakub SKUT, Magdalena BOROWIEC, Krystyna HOFFMANN, Józef HOFFMANN
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