The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is studying the\npotential of cassava flour as an effective alternative for extinguishing\nforest and land fires. This is being achieved through the development of\na starch-based retardant material derived from cassava, which is\ncombined with phosphate compounds to enhance the effectiveness of water\nusage in controlling vegetation fires.<\/p>\n
BRIN Molecular Chemistry Researcher, Julinton, explained that the use\nof cassava starch in fire suppression technology has a scientific basis\nthat can be further developed through chemical engineering and\nformulation. \u201cThe President\u2019s statement regarding the use of\ncassava-based materials to support fire suppression has a strong\nscientific foundation. However, the formulation, effectiveness, safety,\nand environmental impact must still be validated through measured\nlaboratory and field testing,\u201d he stated in an official release on\nSaturday (5\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
The primary potential of cassava starch lies in its polysaccharide\nstructure, which is rich in hydroxyl groups and can be chemically\nmodified to regulate film-forming ability, viscosity, water retention,\nand interaction with retardant components. In the technology currently\nunder development, cassava starch is not used alone but is combined with\nammonium polyphosphate (APP), water, and a low-concentration wetting\nagent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis material is designed to work through several complementary\nmechanisms. Water functions to absorb heat and lower the temperature of\nthe fuel. Modified cassava starch helps increase adhesion and maintain\nthe liquid on the vegetation surface for longer, while the wetting agent\nhelps the liquid spread and penetrate the vegetation fuel more\neffectively. APP then provides a chemical retardation mechanism when the\nmaterial receives heat,\u201d Julontin explained.<\/p>\n
When heated, APP produces phosphoric acid and polyphosphate species\nthat can catalyse the dehydration of cellulose-rich materials and\npolysaccharides. This mechanism directs the pyrolysis process towards\nthe formation of more solid carbon residue, or char, and reduces the\nformation of flammable volatile compounds. This char layer then acts as\na barrier against heat and mass transfer, limiting direct contact\nbetween the fuel surface and oxygen.<\/p>\n
Thus, this technology does not work by \u201cremoving oxygen\u201d from the\natmosphere. Its primary mechanisms are cooling, increasing wetting and\nliquid retention, and altering the thermal decomposition pathway of\nvegetation fuel, which has the potential to suppress the rate of fire\nspread.<\/p>\n
Julinton explained that the production process for this innovation\nbegins with the extraction of raw cassava starch, which is then purified\nand chemically modified to obtain appropriate physicochemical and\nrheological characteristics. Several modification pathways, including\nphosphorylation, cross-linking, or other functional modifications, will\nbe evaluated to improve formulation stability, film-forming ability,\nwater retention, and synergy with APP.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe modified starch is then formulated with APP or appropriate\nphosphate components, a low-concentration wetting agent, and water. The\ncomposition of each component is not set arbitrarily but will be\noptimised based on viscosity, storage stability, sedimentation,\nredispersibility, surface tension, droplet formation, material\ncompatibility, and suppression performance,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
In the field, its use is designed to remain simple, by mixing\nconcentrates or formulation materials into water tanks before spraying.\nThe optimum concentration has not yet been established and will be\ndetermined through research so that the formulation maintains good\nretention capabilities without causing excessive viscosity,\nsedimentation, or clogging of pumps and nozzles.<\/p>\n
Tactically, the cassava starch-APP-based retardant liquid has the\npotential to be developed for both aerial and ground applications.\nHowever, the formulation for aerial applications must have appropriate\nviscosity and droplet size distribution to minimise loss due to drift\nand evaporation without interfering with the capability of pumps and\nnozzles.<\/p>\n
For drone-based operations, the formulation can be directed towards\nprecision spraying on initial fire points, fire flanks, spot fires, and\nthe creation of retardant lines on unburnt vegetation. Thermal cameras\ncan be used to assist in identifying hotspots and evaluating the\npotential for re-ignition after spraying.<\/p>\n
For ground operations, fire fleets can spray it directly onto\nvegetation fuel around the fire point or on areas that need protection.\nAnother approach is to form a retardant line, which is a path of\nvegetation coated with retardant material to slow the spread of fire to\nthe next area.<\/p>\n
In high-intensity fires, this technology is not intended to replace\nall existing fire suppression methods. CASSA-P is developed primarily as\na supporting technology for initial response, spread control, protection\nof strategic areas, and spot fire suppression, which must remain\nintegrated with ground personnel and other suppression systems.<\/p>\n
The use of fire retardants and water enhancers for managing\nvegetation fires has been used and developed in several countries.\nHowever, the CASSA-P formulation takes a different approach by\ndeveloping domestic cassava starch as a biomaterial matrix and carbon\nsource, combined with phosphate, water, and a wetting agent to produce\nan integrated suppression mechanism.<\/p>\n
Environmental aspects are one of the main parameters of the research.\nAlthough cassava starch comes from renewable biomass, the final\nformulation cannot immediately be claimed to be \u201c100 percent\nbiodegradable\u201d or \u201cnon-toxic\u201d. The environmental safety of CASSA-P must\nbe proven through testing for biodegradability, phytotoxicity, and the\nimpact on soil and water organisms, as well as phosphate content and\nrelease.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/is-cassava-flour-effective-for-extinguishing-forest-fires-brin-reveals-unexpected-findings-1788616369", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }