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Updated: Aug 22, 2025
Extraction of Plant-based Capsules for Microencapsulation Applications
Published on: November 9, 2016
CMC based microcapsules for smart delivery of pesticides with reduced risks to the environment
Ming Zhao1, Zhenhai Chen1, Li Hao1
1Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Green Fine Chemicals of Guangdong Higher Education Institution, Innovative Institute for Plant Health, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510225, PR China.
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.
