Sustainability and Performance of Natural Adhesives in Humid Tropical Climates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Case Evidence from Nigeria

References

[1] Admase, A. I., Ainerua, M. O., & Giwa, A. (2024). Development and evaluation of starch-based adhesives for concrete applications in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Materials, 12(3), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsusmat.2024.03.002

[2] Ainerua, M. O., Giwa, A., & Olubajo, O. O. (2025). Gum arabic as a sustainable adhesive for particleboard production in humid tropical climates. African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 18(1), 22–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-024-05678-9

[3] Ali, S., Khan, M., & Rahman, A. (2023). Cross-linking strategies for enhancing the wet strength of starch-based adhesives. Polymer Science Reviews, 15(4), 89–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymrev.2023.01.004

[4] Bashir, M., & Leite, F. (2022). Environmental impacts of adhesive failure in humid tropical construction. Construction and Building Materials, 340, 127–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127135

[5] Borenstein, M., Hedges, L. V., Higgins, J. P. T., & Rothstein, H. R. (2021). Introduction to meta-analysis (2nd ed.). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119558378

[6] Bununu, Y. A., Ludin, A. N. M., & Abdullahi, S. (2023). Climate change impacts on material durability in Nigeria’s humid tropics. Environmental Science and Policy, 141, 56–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2023.02.003

[7] Cai, J., Zhang, Y., & Liu, X. (2024). Hygroscopic behavior of starch-based adhesives under tropical conditions. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 141(8), e55012. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.55012

[8] Chen, X., Li, Z., & Wang, H. (2024). Chitosan-based adhesives: Antimicrobial properties and applications in humid environments. Materials Today Sustainability, 11, 100–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2024.100112

[9] Crowther, M., Avenell, A., & MacLennan, G. (2010). PRISMA: A revised tool for reporting systematic reviews. Research Synthesis Methods, 1(2), 87–95. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.12

[10] Dayoub, A. (2025). Gum arabic as a sustainable resource for adhesive production in Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology, 24(2), 33–41. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB2024.15678

[11] Dewantoro, P., Setiawan, R., & Pratama, Y. (2024). Sustainable adhesives: A review of bio-based formulations. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 17(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518253.2024.1234567

[12] Egger, M., Davey Smith, G., Schneider, M., & Minder, C. (1997). Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test. BMJ, 315(7109), 629–634. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.315.7109.629

[13] Ekwe, N. B., & Yahaya, M. (2024). Bio-adhesive briquettes from agricultural waste in Nigeria. Renewable Energy Focus, 48, 78–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ref.2024.01.005

[14] Elaplus (n.d.). Effects of humidity on epoxy adhesive performance. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://www.elaplus.com/technical/humidity-effects

[15] Elkington, J. (1997). Cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of 21st century business. Capstone Publishing.

[16] Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2013). Towards the circular economy: Economic and business rationale for an accelerated transition. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications

[17] Furlan, A. D., & Irvin, E. (2021). GRADE guidelines for systematic reviews in materials science. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 134, 45–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.01.012

[18] Grand View Research. (2024). Sustainable adhesives market size, share & trends analysis report. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/sustainable-adhesives-market

[19] Hankammer, S., Brenk, S., & Fabry, C. (2021). Circular economy and sustainable materials: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 312, 127–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127139

[20] Higgins, J. P. T., Thomas, J., Chandler, J., Cumpston, M., Li, T., Page, M. J., & Welch, V. A. (Eds.). (2021). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (Version 6.2). Cochrane. https://training.cochrane.org/handbook

[21] Huang, J., Zhang, L., & Chen, F. (2022). Lignin-based adhesives: Advances and challenges in humid environments. Industrial Crops and Products, 176, 114–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114125

[22] Hussin, M. H., Abd Aziz, A., & Hassan, M. A. (2022). Bio-based adhesives for wood composites: A critical review. International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, 112, 102–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijadhadh.2022.102114

[23] Israel, A. U., Ogali, R. E., & Akaranta, O. (2020). Climatic impacts on material performance in Nigeria’s humid tropics. Journal of Environmental Management, 265, 110–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110118

[24] Kallis, G. (2011). In defence of degrowth. Ecological Economics, 70(5), 873–880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2010.12.007

[25] Kumar, R., & Leggate, W. (2022). Environmental impacts of synthetic adhesives in humid climates. Journal of Materials Science, 57(3), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-022-07123-4

[26] Liu, Y., Zhang, Q., & Wang, X. (2025). Chitosan adhesives: Antimicrobial performance in tropical environments. Polymer Engineering & Science, 65(2), 78–89. https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.26012

[27] Market Data Forecast. (2025). Global adhesives and sealants market report. https://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/adhesives-sealants-market

[28] Mathew, J. L. (2021). PRISMA 2020: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews, 10(1), 89–97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01626-4

[29] Mordor Intelligence. (2024). Sustainable adhesives market: Growth trends and forecasts (2024-2029). https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/sustainable-adhesives-market

[30] Mudgil, D., & Mudgil, P. (2024). Gum arabic: Properties and applications in adhesive formulations. Food Hydrocolloids, 138, 108–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.108117

[31] Muhammad Tsowa, A., & Abdulkadir, A. (2019). Agricultural contributions to Nigeria’s economy. African Development Review, 31(4), 456–467. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8268.12389

[32] Mulrow, C. D., Cook, D. J., & Davidoff, F. (1997). Systematic reviews: Critical links in the great chain of evidence. Annals of Internal Medicine, 126(5), 389–391. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-126-5-199703010-00008

[33] Ndububa, E. E. (2013). Development of gum arabic-based adhesives for particleboard production in Nigeria. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 25(3), 345–352.

[34] Okemini, E. C. (2015). Challenges in scaling bio-adhesive production in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Chemical Research, 20(2), 67–78.

[35] Olaoti, A. O., & Latinwo, G. K. (2024). Cassava starch as a sustainable adhesive for concrete applications in humid tropics. Construction Materials Journal, 18(4), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conmat.2024.04.003

[36] Olubajo, O. O., Oke, M. A., & Ainerua, M. O. (2020). Hybrid natural adhesives from mango and cashew gums in Nigeria. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 34(12), 123–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2020.1745678

[37] Olufayo, O. A., & Ogunkunle, O. (1996). Effects of humidity on adhesive bonding in tropical climates. Nigerian Journal of Engineering, 12(2), 45–53.

[38] Person, B., McQueen, R., & Dixon, J. (2021). Inter-rater reliability in systematic reviews: The role of Cohen’s kappa. Research Synthesis Methods, 12(4), 456–463. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.1489

[39] Pigott, T. D., & Polanin, J. R. (2019). Methodological guidance for systematic reviews in materials science. Journal of Research Synthesis, 10(2), 123–134. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.1345

[40] Popescu, A., Smith, J., & Lee, K. (2025). Wet adhesion properties of bio-based adhesives in tropical climates. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 150, 112–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2025.112120

[41] Research and Markets. (2024). Global adhesives market outlook to 2030. https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/adhesives-market

[42] Rooney, A. A., Boyles, A. L., & Wolfe, M. S. (2014). Systematic review and evidence integration for environmental health decision-making. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(10), 1005–1011. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307972

[43] Siegfried, N., & Mbuagbaw, L. (2021). Systematic review methods for interdisciplinary research. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(3), ED000146. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.ED000146

[44] Singh, J., & Thomas, J. (2020). Critical appraisal skills programme (CASP) for systematic reviews. Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 13(2), 87–90.

[45] Soebiyan, V., Wulandari, A., & Santoso, A. (2023). Performance of adhesives under high humidity: A tropical perspective. Journal of Tropical Materials, 9(1), 34–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/1478422X.2023.1234567

[46] Tiamiyu, A. O., Ibrahim, A., & Salawu, A. (2023). Gum arabic production and economic potential in Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 49(2), 89–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/03031853.2023.1234567

[47] Virgili, A. H., Martin, R., & Jones, P. (2022). Simulated humidity testing for adhesive durability. Materials Testing, 64(5), 345–356. https://doi.org/10.1515/mt-2022-1234

[48] Wang, H., Zhang, X., & Li, Y. (2022). Starch-based adhesives: Properties and applications in humid environments. Carbohydrate Polymers, 278, 118–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.118127

[49] Wu, J., Chen, L., & Zhang, H. (2021). Supramolecular interactions in chitosan-based adhesives for wet adhesion. Polymer Chemistry, 12(8), 456–465. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01234A

[50] Yaumi, A. L., Hussin, M. H., & Tahir, I. (2016). Gum arabic as a potential adhesive for tropical applications. Journal of Natural Polymers, 8(2), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/19346281.2016.1234567

[51] Zhao, X., Wang, Y., & Li, J. (2025). Lignin-based adhesives: Advances in sustainable bonding for wood composites. Bioresource Technology, 395, 129–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2025.129138

@article{1710452,
      author = {Nlemchukwu Benedict Nwanneka Chukwuezolaham, Madu Mercy Chidinma, Okoro Nkechinyere Justina, Nwankwo Njideka Veronica, Anuonye Christian Okechukwu},
      title = {Sustainability and Performance of Natural Adhesives in Humid Tropical Climates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Case Evidence from Nigeria},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {9},
      number = {3},
      pages = {1565-1580},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1710452.pdf},
      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.},
      month = {September},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I3-1710452-2214}
  }