Modeling Transcuticular Uptake from Particle-Based Formulations of Lipophilic Products

We report a mathematical model for the uptake of lipophilic agrochemicals from dispersed spherical particles within a formulation droplet across the leaf cuticle. Two potential uptake pathways are identified: direct uptake via physical contact between the cuticle and particle and indirect uptake via initial release of material into the formulation droplet followed by partition across the cuticle-formulation interface. Numerical simulation is performed to investigate the relevance of the particle-cuticle contact angle, the release kinetics of the particle, and the particle size relative to the cuticle thickness. Limiting cases for each pathway are identified and investigated. The input of typical physicochemical parameters suggests that the indirect pathway is generally dominant unless pesticide release is under strict kinetic control. Evidence is presented for a hitherto unrecognized "leaching effect" and the mutual exclusivity of the two pathways.