CMC based microcapsules for smart delivery of pesticides with reduced risks to the environment

Carbohydr Polym. 2023 Jan 15:300:120260. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120260. Epub 2022 Oct 26.

Abstract

Inefficient use of traditional pesticides causes serious environmental pollution. Stimuli-responsive pesticide formulations improve the utilization efficiency of target pests and reduce harm to non-target organisms and the environment. Herein, multi-stimuli-responsive avermectin (AVM) polyurea microcapsules (AVM@CM-SS-PU) are prepared by interfacial polymerization with modified carboxymethyl cellulose CMC-SS-NH2 as the wall material and hexadecane as the temperature-responsive core. The microcapsules are 3.90 μm in size and the encapsulation efficiency of AVM is 88.23 %. The photostability of AVM@CM-SS-PU is 5-times that of AVM solution. The insecticidal effect of AVM solution and AVM emulsifiable concentrate (EC) decreases to 13.3 % and 16.6 %, respectively, after UV irradiation for 180 min, whereas that of AVM@CM-SS-PU still remains at 50.0 %. AVM@CM-SS-PU has better foliar affinity and releases under the stimuli of temperature, glutathione, pH, cellulase, and urease. Hence, it has high insecticidal activity and biosafety. This smart controlled-release pesticide formulation provides a promising solution for green agriculture.

Keywords: Avermectin; Microcapsules; Photostability; Safety evaluation; Stimuli-responsive.

MeSH terms

  • Capsules / chemistry
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / chemistry
  • Insecticides* / chemistry
  • Ivermectin / chemistry
  • Pesticides* / chemistry

Substances

  • Capsules
  • Pesticides
  • avermectin
  • Ivermectin
  • Insecticides
  • Delayed-Action Preparations