Chemical composition of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) stalk and suitability in the particleboard production.

This study examined chemical composition of tomato stalks and their possible feasibility in the production of particleboard. Three-layer experimental particleboards with density of 0.53, 0.63, and 0.73 g cm(-3) were manufactured from tomato stalks using certain ratios of urea formaldehyde (UF) and melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) adhesives. Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), thickness swelling (TS) properties of the boards were evaluated, and a statistical analysis was performed in order to examine possible feasibility of these stalks in commercial particleboard manufacturing. The experimental results have shown that production of general purpose particleboard used in dry conditions using tomato stalks is technically viable. The results of the study demonstrate that tomato stalks can be an alternative raw material source for particleboard industry. Use of agricultural waste such as tomato stalk can help solving waste management problems and contribute conservation of natural resources.