The metribuzin herbicide in polycaprolactone nanocapsules shows less plant chromosome aberration than non-encapsulated metribuzin

Abstract

The excessive use of the metribuzin herbicide is contaminating groundwater and damaging non-target plants and organisms. There is therefore a need for safer formulations of the herbicide. Here we encapsulated metribuzin by interfacial deposition of the pre-formed polymer. Results show that the encapsulation efficiency of metribuzin reached 83.2%. Nanocapsules remained stable in the suspension without any aggregation or decomposition. Nanocapsules containing metribuzin induced less chromosome aberration and higher mitotic index values than the pure metribuzin. We conclude that herbicide encapsulation in polycaprolactone nanocapsules is safer for food and the environment.