Hexaconazole-Micelle Nanodelivery System Prepared Using Different Surfactants for Ganoderma Antifungal Application

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Nanotechnology
• Plant Pathology
• Surfactant Chemistry

Background:

• Basal stem rot, caused by Ganoderma fungi, devastates the oil palm industry.
• Effective and targeted fungicide delivery remains a challenge in oil palm cultivation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate hexaconazole-loaded nanomicelles as potential agronanofungicides.
• To investigate the impact of different surfactants (SDBS, SDS, Tween 80) on nanocarrier properties and antifungal efficacy.
• To determine the size-dependent effects of nanomicelles on inhibiting Ganoderma Boninense growth.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of hexaconazole-micelle systems using three surfactants.
• Evaluation of micelle size and its correlation with surfactant concentration.
• Assessment of antifungal activity against Ganoderma Boninense, determining EC50 values.

Main Results:

• Successful encapsulation of hexaconazole within surfactant micelles was confirmed.
• Micelle size decreased with increasing surfactant concentration, influencing antifungal activity.
• Tween 80-based nanomicelles exhibited the lowest effective concentration (EC50 = 2) against Ganoderma Boninense, outperforming SDBS and SDS.

Conclusions:

• Hexaconazole-loaded nanomicelles represent a promising new generation of agronanofungicides.
• Tween 80-based systems offer enhanced efficacy for treating Ganoderma disease in oil palms.
• Nanodelivery systems provide a targeted and potentially more effective approach to disease management.