Sustainability and Performance of Natural Adhesives in Humid Tropical Climates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Case Evidence from Nigeria
Abstract
Gum arabic, cassava starch, chitosan, lignin are natural adhesives that use renewable sources, and are gaining momentum as substitutes to synthetic adhesives in response to environmental concerns. Yet, to be effective in humid tropical climates, which are characterised by high relative humidity (>80%), high temperatures (25-35 C) and moisture, their effectiveness needs to be systematically tested. This is a review of evidence on performance measurements (bond strength, durability) and sustainability (environmental impact, economic viability), including meta-analysis and a case study of Nigeria. Following PRISMA 2020, searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online between January 1990 and August 2025. Eligibility Studies on natural adhesives in humid/tropical conditions that have quantitative results. Records were screened by two reviewers (kappa=0.87); quality determined with Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane RoB 2. Random-effects models in R (metafor package) were employed in the meta-analysis of shear strength with subgroup analyses performed according to adhesive type and GRADE certainty. Out of 1,456 records, 78 studies have been included (45 old, 33 new). A meta-analysis (n=22 studies, 612 samples) provided a result as to dry shear strength of 3.58 MPa (95% CI: 2.45-4.71; I 2=73, p<0.001) and wet shear of 1.78 MPa (95% CI: 1.05-2.51; I 2=77, p<0.001). Gum arabic was tough (wet: 1.62 MPa), cassava starch greater dry strength (4.25 MPa). Sustainability: 35-65% lower CO2 emissions. Nigerian cases: gum arabic in particleboards resisted 90% RH. Natural adhesives would work reasonably well in moist tropics with modifications, and would have sustainability advantages. Policy suggestions: support local manufacture in Nigeria to adapt to climate.
Keywords
Natural Adhesives, Gum Arabic, Cassava Starch, Humid Tropics, Sustainability, Meta-Analysis, Nigeria, Bio-based Polymers, Water Resistance.
Citations
IRE Journals:
Nlemchukwu Benedict Nwanneka Chukwuezolaham , Madu Mercy Chidinma , Okoro Nkechinyere Justina , Nwankwo Njideka Veronica , Anuonye Christian Okechukwu
"Sustainability and Performance of Natural Adhesives in Humid Tropical Climates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Case Evidence from Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 3 2025 Page 1565-1580
IEEE:
Nlemchukwu Benedict Nwanneka Chukwuezolaham , Madu Mercy Chidinma , Okoro Nkechinyere Justina , Nwankwo Njideka Veronica , Anuonye Christian Okechukwu
"Sustainability and Performance of Natural Adhesives in Humid Tropical Climates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Case Evidence from Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(3)
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