Uso de ácido orgânico forte em alternativa ao ácido sulfúrico para o deslintamento de sementes de algodão

Abstract

Cotton farming has strategic relevance in the global agro-industrial scenario, with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) being the main natural fiber of the textile industry. World production presents high complexity and strong influence of climatic, technological and economic factors, reflected in oscillations in area, productivity and trade flows. Over the years, Brazil has consolidated itself as one of the main producers and exporters of cotton lint, supported by highly technical production systems, significant productivity gains and strong logistics integration, maintaining a prominent position in international trade. In addition to fiber, seed quality is a determining factor for crop performance, being directly influenced by post-harvest processing processes. Delinting is an essential and mandatory step in the production of cotton seeds in Brazil, as it removes the lint adhered to the seed coat, favoring mechanized sowing, chemical treatment and storage. The chemical method, traditionally performed with sulfuric acid, is widely used for its high efficiency, but it has limitations related to corrosivity, operational risks, environmental impacts and possible damage to germination and seed vigor. In view of these restrictions, it is necessary to evaluate safer and more environmentally appropriate alternatives, and in this context, methanesulfonic acid (MS) emerges as a promising option because it presents lower corrosivity, greater operational safety and biodegradability, maintaining potential for efficiency in delinting. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the use of DM as an alternative to sulfuric acid in the delinting of cotton seeds, considering different acid volumes and turning times, as well as its effects on the physiological quality of the seeds. The use of image analysis as a tool for classifying the percentage of delintation with DM was also evaluated, aiming to contribute to technical, environmental and operational advances in the cotton seed production chain. Also in this context, the biochemical, physiological and structural responses of cotton seeds submitted to chemical delintation with sulfuric acid and DM were evaluated, through the analysis of oxidative stress markers, the activity of the antioxidant system, the germination performance and the characterization of the surface of the seed coat. Keywords: Gossypium hirsutum L.; methanesulfonic acid; seed quality; reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress.