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Fully Degradable Polyphosphoester Cubosomes for Sustainable Agrochemical Delivery
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Researchers developed fully degradable porous polymer cubosomes made from polyphosphoester-polylactide block copolymers for controlled-release delivery of agricultural fungicides. The study found that these microplastic-free carriers showed strong antimycotic activity, adhered to plant leaves even after simulated rain, and completely degraded into lactic acid and phosphate, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic-based agrochemical carriers.
Microplastic pollution and the urgent need for sustainable agriculture have raised interest in developing degradable carriers for controlled agrochemical release. Porous polymeric particles are particularly promising due to their unique release profiles compared to solid or core-shell carriers. However, creating degradable, mesoporous (2-50 nm) microparticles is challenging, and their potential for agrochemical delivery is largely unexplored. A straightforward self-assembly method is demonstrated for fully degradable porous polymer cubosomes (PCs), showcasing their ability to load and release agrochemicals. Using fully degradable block copolymers (BCPs), poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate)-b-polylactide (PEEP-b-PLA), PCs are synthesized in water with high inner order and open pores averaging 19 ± 3 nm in diameter. During the self-assembly process in the presence of the hydrophobic fungicide tebuconazole, polymersomes transform into PCs by enriching the hydrophobic polymer domain and altering the BCP packing parameter. After self-assemby, highly porous and fungicide-loaded PCs are obtained. Fungicide-loaded PCs show high antimycotic activity against Botrytis cinerea (grey mold), adhere to Vitis vinifera Riesling leaves even after simulated rain, and release the fungicide continuously over several days with different release-kinetics compared to solid particles. PCs hydrolyze completely into lactic acid and phosphate derivatives, highlighting their potential as microplastic-free agrochemical delivery systems for sustainable agriculture.
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Biodegradable xylan-based nanocarriers were developed to deliver fungicides as an alternative to fossil-based polymer dispersions commonly used for agrochemical application. The biopolymer-based carriers reduce risks of microplastic accumulation in soil that conventional polymer-formulated agrochemicals pose.
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Researchers developed biodegradable fertilizer coatings made from a self-degrading polymer blended with polycaprolactone or polylactic acid, designed to release nutrients in the acidic zone around plant roots. Replacing conventional non-biodegradable polymer coatings on fertilizers could significantly reduce microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils.
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