Natural Hydrophobicity of Taro Leaves: from Fundamental Understanding to Biomimetic Applications
Onkar D Kulkarni *
Department of Agriculture Engineering, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, 431010, India.
Deepak T Bornare
Department of Agriculture Engineering, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, 431010, India.
Pratik P Potdar
Department of Agriculture Engineering, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, 431010, India.
Swapnil G Jaiswal
Department of Agriculture Engineering, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, 431010, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Hydrophobicity is the phenomena to repel the water without getting wet shown by taro plant leaves. This property is shown by taro plant leaves due to nanostructure roughness of wax present on it. The remarkable hydrophobicity of taro (Colocasia esculenta) leaves, often termed the ‘taro effect’, has attracted increasing scientific interest due to its potential as a natural model for surface engineering and biomimetic design. The taro plant is known for its unique leaf surface characteristics, which have attracted scientific and engineering interest for biomimetic applications. Although the lotus leaf is famous for its “superhydrophobicity,” the taro leaf also exhibits remarkable water-repellent and self-cleaning properties, serving as an excellent natural model for material innovation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles governing taro leaf hydrophobicity, including leaf surface micro and nano-structures, wax chemistry, and the role of water repellence and self-cleaning effect. The influence of environmental conditions, leaf maturity and mechanical durability on surface wettability is also discussed. Recent advances in biomimetic applications inspired by taro hydrophobicity are critically evaluated with water harvesting systems, self-cleaning textiles, sustainable packaging and anti-fouling materials. From a biomimetic standpoint, understanding these structural and chemical mechanisms has guided the development of artificial hydrophobic and self-cleaning materials. Inspired by the taro leaf, researchers have fabricated water-repellent coatings, anti-fouling films, and microfluidic surfaces that replicate its micro-waxy architecture. The review identifies current challenges including, scalability, durability, and environmental safety of biomimetic approaches and outline future directions aimed at translating the natural design of taro leaves into practical technologies. This review underscores the significance of taro leaf hydrophobicity as both a subject of scientific inquiry and a blueprint for innovative material development.
Keywords: Colocasia esculenta, hydrophobicity, global warming, packing efficiency