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Explora: Environment
and Resource Low-cost hydroponic for chili production

correlation with H O was weak and not statistically The use of repurposed household materials, such as water
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significant, it may suggest limited or threshold-based and soft drink bottles, not only enhances cost-effectiveness
oxidative signaling effects. Moreover, both vitamin C and and user accessibility but also promotes recycling of
capsaicin content were positively correlated with SOD disposable items, directly contributing to Sustainable
and CAT, reinforcing the idea that antioxidant defense Developmental Goal (SDG) 12 (responsible consumption
not only supports plant growth but also enhances the and production). The promising yield performance of this
biosynthesis of nutritionally valuable metabolites. Their system, achieved with minimal resource inputs, aligns with
inverse relationships with MDA and H O further affirm SDG 2 (zero hunger) while also supporting SDG 5 (gender
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the detrimental impact of oxidative stress on metabolic equality) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth)
quality, consistent with earlier studies. 46-48 by providing opportunities for women and marginalized
communities in rural and peri-urban areas. Adoption of
Previous reports have also demonstrated the successful
use of plastic bottles, beverage containers, and discarded this technique could enhance nutritional security at the
household level while simultaneously strengthening local
materials in hydroponic vegetable production, employing economies and promoting gender empowerment. The
simple, low-cost designs without reliance on electricity system can be recommended for large-scale use by women-
or expensive resources. 49-51 As traditional agriculture led self-help groups as a means of advancing gender
faces mounting challenges in addressing food security equality (SDG 5). Overall, this system not only advances
under climate change, land scarcity, and water shortages, sustainable agricultural practices but also contributes to
innovative approaches for climate-resilient urban sustainable livelihoods (SDG 8) and circular economies
agriculture and cultivation in non-productive areas have through the use of recycled materials and reliance on
gained enormous interest. Such systems are expected to locally available inputs.
become major contributors to food supply in urban and
suburban/peri-urban regions in the near future. 52 Ongoing work is focused on evaluating the scalability
and the long-term durability of plastic bottles in terms of
However, one limitation of traditional passive sustainability. Current experiments include incorporating
hydroponic systems, such as the wick method or the Kratky rainwater harvesting for nutrient solution preparation and
method, is that they are primarily suited for leafy greens. foliar spraying to address water conservation, as well as
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These systems are less effective for fruiting crops, which testing a large-scale model using low-cost, locally available
require larger root zones to ensure adequate aeration and containers such as drums. To mitigate environmental
nutrient circulation. By contrast, the results of the present concerns regarding plastic degradation, biodegradable or
study demonstrate that hydroponics using plastic bottles recycled alternatives are also being explored, which will
and nutrient solutions achieved yield levels comparable to further enhance the ecological footprint of the system.
those obtained with conventional hydroponics. Therefore,
beyond its advantages of low cost, space efficiency, and A forward-looking, integrated research approach will
minimal energy requirements, this simple and user- be required for large-scale implementation, focusing on
friendly system is also adaptable for underprivileged cost-benefit analysis and system scalability. In addition,
or urban households. The positive feedback and strong assessing the applicability of this model to other vegetable
acceptance observed among local communities further crops could broaden its relevance. Collectively, these
highlight its adaptability and potential scalability in the initiatives could make significant contributions to universal
future. nutritional security in the face of mounting environmental
challenges and energy constraints.
5. Conclusion Acknowledgments
The present study evaluated the potential of a low-cost,
non-electric, sustainable hydroponic system designed for The authors sincerely acknowledge Adamas University,
indoor environments for the production of C. annuum. Barasat, India, for providing the necessary facilities.
This in-house-built system produced plants with compact, Funding
manageable stature and demonstrated both quantitative
(fruit yield) and qualitative (vitamin C and capsaicin The work was funded by the Adamas University,
content) performance comparable to conventional India, through Seed grants (Reference No.: AU/REG/
hydroponics systems that rely on electrical inputs. These NOT/2023/11/003) to Dr. Moumita Gangopadhyay.
findings highlight the system’s potential as an alternative
production model for peri-urban areas and regions facing Conflict of interest
constraints in arable land availability. The authors declare they have no competing interests.

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 8 doi: 10.36922/EER025250050