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Published on: May 10, 2013
Constructing herbicide metribuzin sustained-release formulations based on the natural polymer poly-3-hydroxybutyrate
Tatiana G Volova1, Natalia O Zhila1, Olga N Vinogradova1
1a Institute of Biophysics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Krasnoyarsk , Russian Federation.
Abstract:
Polymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] has been used as a matrix in slow-release formulations of the herbicide metribuzin (MET). Physical P(3HB)/MET mixtures in the form of solutions, powders, and emulsions were used to construct different metribuzin formulations (films, granules, pellets, and microparticles). SEM, X-Ray, and DSC proved the stability of these formulations incubated in sterile water in vitro for long periods of time (up to 49 days). Metribuzin release from the polymer matrix has been also studied. By varying the shape of formulations (microparticles, granules, films, and pellets), we were able to control the release time of metribuzin, increasing or decreasing it.
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