Tailored Lignocellulose-Based Biodegradable Matrices with Effective Cargo Delivery for Crop Protection.

Tahira Pirzada,Reny Mathew,Saad A Khan,Charles H Opperman,Richard H Guenther,Tim L Sit,Lokendra Pal

doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05670

Tahira Pirzada, Reny Mathew + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05670

Copy DOI

Abstract

Controlled release and targeted delivery of agrochemicals are crucial for achieving effective crop protection with minimal damage to the environment. This work presents an innovative and cost-effective approach to fabricate lignocellulose-based biodegradable porous matrices capable of slow and sustained release of the loaded molecules for effective crop protection. The matrix exhibits tunable physicochemical properties which, when coupled with our unique “wrap-and-plant” concept, help to utilize it as a defense against soil-borne pests while providing controlled release of crop protection moieties. The tailored matrix is produced by mechanical treatment of the lignocellulosic fibers obtained from banana plants. The effect of different extents of mechanical treatments of the lignocellulosic fibers on the protective properties of the developed matrices is systematically investigated. While variation in mechanical treatment affects the morphology, strength, and porosity of the matrices, the specific composition and structure of the fibers are also capable of influencing their release profile. To corroborate this hypothesis, the effect of morphology and lignin content changes on the release of rhodamine B and abamectin as model cargos is investigated. These results, compared with those of the matrices developed from non-banana fibrous sources, reveal a unique release profile of the matrices developed from banana fibers, thereby making them strong candidates for crop protection applications.

Highlights

Worldwide awareness for the conservation of natural resources is leading to the use of various non-wood plant fibers as alternatives to wood pulp in the manufacture of paper and paperboard.[1−4] Materials derived from non-wood plants primarily consist of three important components: cellulose (35−50%), hemicellulose (20−35%), and lignin (10−25%).[5]
Pulp refining was done through mechanical beating without the use of any chemical additives, as our focus is to explore the inherent properties of the banana fiber
Since the biodegradable nature of this matrix can be exploited in fabricating controlled release matrices for crop protection, we proposed a unique approach that can be beneficial in finetuning the properties of banana fibers as seed/seedling wrap

Summary

■ INTRODUCTION

Worldwide awareness for the conservation of natural resources is leading to the use of various non-wood plant fibers as alternatives to wood pulp in the manufacture of paper and paperboard.[1−4] Materials derived from non-wood plants ( known as lignocellulosic materials) primarily consist of three important components: cellulose (35−50%), hemicellulose (20−35%), and lignin (10−25%).[5]. It appears that low lignin content paper (P5) consists of fibers with a compact structure and low porosity, which might have led to the inability of the dye molecules to migrate deeper into the paper and, release quickly when soaked in the release medium. This observation taken together with a lack of the two-step release profile of P5 (Figure 3A) indicates that fiber morphology of the release matrix determines its capability to the release of the cargo. Our “wrap and plant” banana paper matrix with its “dual knob” tunable functionality presents itself as excellent candidate for controlled release of loaded cargos for cost-effective and enhanced crop protection in nutrientdepleted and pest-infested soils

■ CONCLUSIONS

■ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

■ REFERENCES