Thermo-Responsive Quaternary Ammonium Chitosan Nanocapsules with On-Demand Controlled Pesticide Release and Maximally Synergistic Biological Activity

Abstract

Pesticides play an important role in pest control. However, they can be limited due to low utilization efficiency, causing substantial losses to the environment and ecological damage. Nanotechnology is an active area of research regarding encapsulation of pesticides for sustainable pest control. Here, we developed intelligent formulations of avermectin (Av) quaternary ammonium chitosan surfactant (QACS) nanocapsules (i.e., Av−Th@QACS) with on-demand controlled release properties, toward ambient temperature and maximal synergistic biological activity of Av and QACS. The Av−Th@QACS regulated the quantity of pesticide release in accordance with the ambient temperature changes and, insofar as this release is a means of responding to variations in pest populations, maximized the synergistic activity. In addition, the Av−Th@QACS were highly adhesive to crop leaves as a result of the prolonged retention time on the crop leaves. Therefore, Av−Th@QACS exhibited greater control against aphids at 35 °C than at 15 and 25 °C. Compared with commercial formulations, Av−Th@QACS was more toxic at 35 °C and less toxic at 15 °C. Thus, researchers can apply Av−Th@QACS as intelligent nanopesticides with an on-demand, controlled release and synergistic biological activity and, in so doing, prolong pesticide duration and improve the utilization efficiency.

Smart Protein-Based Fluorescent Nanoparticles Prepared by a Continuous Nanoprecipitation Method for Pesticides’ Precise Delivery and Tracing

“…The successful encapsulation of abamectin in the nanoparticles was confirmed by investigating their interactions using FTIR and XRD spectra. As shown in Figure e, abamectin showed several characteristic peaks at 2964, 1735, and 1047 cm –1 . These typical peaks were weakened or even disappeared in the spectra of the ABM@BSA-FITC/GA NPs, which was mainly due to the generation of hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding between abamectin and BSA-FITC, thus restricting the vibrations of the abamectin molecules .…”

“…As shown in Figure 1e, abamectin showed several characteristic peaks at 2964, 1735, and 1047 cm −1 . 39 These typical peaks were weakened or even disappeared in the spectra of the ABM@BSA-FITC/GA NPs, which was mainly due to the generation of hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding between abamectin and BSA-FITC, thus restricting the vibrations of the abamectin molecules. 40 In addition, the ABM@BSA-FITC/GA NPs revealed the emergence of a new peak at 1051 cm −1 , which corresponded to the characteristic peak of GA.…”

Self-Assembled Sphere Covalent Organic Framework with Enhanced Herbicidal Activity by Loading Cyhalofop-butyl

“…The resulting nano-enabled pesticides have also achieved other benefits, such as enhancing foliar adhesion, improving the yields and qualities of crop plants, and offering responsive nanoscale delivery formulations to reduce the negative impacts caused by biotic and abiotic stresses . However, the applied pesticide nanocarriers usually have high surface areas, thus enhancing the biocompatibility of pesticide loading . Rich channels are highly needed in carriers to offer interactions, such as van der Waals force, hydrogen-bond interactions, and π–π interactions, between pesticide molecules and carriers. , It also requires many pores to provide more reaction sites between carriers and pesticides …”

“…8 However, the applied pesticide nanocarriers usually have high surface areas, thus enhancing the biocompatibility of pesticide loading. 9 Rich channels are highly needed in carriers to offer interactions, such as van der Waals force, hydrogen-bond interactions, and π−π interactions, between pesticide molecules and carriers. 10,11 It also requires many pores to provide more reaction sites between carriers and pesticides.…”

Bionanotechnology in Agriculture: A One Health Approach

“…It can be an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to agrochemicals that promote regenerative agriculture, integrated with the approach associated with One Health. Bionanotechnology could be applied in agriculture, remediation, water treatment, pest detection, and control, for example, developing porous nano zeolites capable of absorbing water or soil chemical contaminants [ 11 ]; nanocapsules capable of releasing the necessary pesticide concentration on demand [ 12 ] nanomembranes that control the release of water, fertilizers, and herbicides and serve as water purifiers [ 13 , 14 ]; nanosensors capable of monitoring soil and plants and detecting contaminants and pests [ 15 , 16 ]; magnetic nanoparticles as an agent to combat soil contaminants [ 17 ]; among other applications.…”