Review of recent advances in pesticide encapsulation using naturally-occurring carbohydrate-based delivery systems:...

Applications of pesticides are required with alternative ways to meet with global food demands while minimizing environmental harms. This review dives into carbohydrate-based pesticide delivery systems using natural materials like starch, cellulose, chitosan and lignin as eco-friendly options for sustainable farming. Pesticides are wrapped in biodegradable carbohydrates that can be slowly released and environmentally triggered. Recent studies show pesticide use could by cut by up to 30 % with half runoff, as seen with carbohydrate-based delivery systems. By tweaking carbohydrates with cross-links, the resultant delivery system can hold up to 90 % of tricky pesticides, thus protection against sunlight break-down, all while enriching soil as they naturally decompose. Moreover, 20-30 % of farmers' costs could be saved by fewer pesticide applications. Though there are challenges like scale-up production and ensured compatibility with all ingredients, combining bio-materials science with future technologies can really move us toward sustainable farming, therefore keeping our planet safe and healthy while feeding the world.