Abstract
For the wise use of fungal biocontrol and metalaxyl fungicide, starch–alginate-based formulations have been developed by encapsulating metalaxyl and non-toxigenic Aspergillus flavus spores simultaneously in the form of microspheres using calcium chloride as a cross-linking agent. The formulations were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), a scanning electron micrograph (SEM), and thermogravimetry (TGA). Formulation characteristics, including the bead size, entrapment efficiency, swelling ratio of the beads, and rheological properties, were analyzed. The release behavior of beads with different formulations was evaluated. The addition of kaolin and rice husk powder in starch–alginate beads retarded the release profile of spores and metalaxyl. The release of the active ingredient from starch–alginate–kaolin beads and starch–alginate–rice husk powder beads occurred in both a controlled and sustained manner. Additionally, the release rate decreased with the increase of kaolin or rice husk powder content. The beads added with kaolin were slower than the release of rice husk powder. In comparison, spores released slower and lasted longer than metalaxyl. The starch–alginate–kaolin formulations could be used as controlled release material in the field of biocontrol and reduce the harm of fungicides to the environment.
Highlights
Aflatoxin is a kind of mycotoxin mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus or Aspergillus parasiticus.aflatoxin contamination is a serious problem in many crops, such as corn, peanuts, and other agricultural products, in many countries
Spores and metalaxyl were embedded in starch–alginate beads, and the entrapment efficiency ranged from 44.31 ± 3.03% to 84.55 ± 1.56% and 64.00 ± 2.59% to 86.63 ± 1.78% for spores and metalaxyl, respectively (Table 2)
It is concluded that the release of spores and metalaxyl from the beads was controllable and sustainable, which is important in the biocontrol of aflatoxin and management of pesticides’ harm to the environment and ecosystem
Summary
Aflatoxin is a kind of mycotoxin mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus or Aspergillus parasiticus. Molecules 2019, 24, 1858 and inexpensive raw material for encapsulating, it is completely degradable in nature, and has been utilized to improve the dispersity and stability of microcapsules [6,7,8,9] Another common polysaccharide in nature, alginate, is obtained from brown macroalgae, and can be developed into a controlled-release formulation after crosslinking with metal ions. An optimal method would be to restrain the amount of agrochemicals released from the formulation in the short term, and minimize residues in the soil and environment This can be accomplished by encapsulating the chemicals in a controlled-release matrix. We intend to develop starch–alginate-based formulations for the biological control and prevention of aflatoxin by encapsulating metalaxyl and non-toxigenic Aspergillus flavus spores simultaneously. An attempt has been made to develop a sustained release formulation for spores of non-toxic Aspergillus flavus and metalaxyl based on starch–alginate
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