Biodegradable controlled-release carriers based on polysaccharides as alternative elements in agricultural applications

Abstract

Conventional disease control in the agronomic area is focused on using toxic compounds based on heavy metals and pesticides, which are harmful to the environment. A more sustainable alternative is using bioactive compounds such as essential oils, with defensive potential due to their antimicrobial properties. However, its direct application to plants has limited action, due to the lack of adherence and susceptibility to environmental conditions. Alternatively, polysaccharides can be used as a matrix for the controlled release of essential oil. Chitosan is a polysaccharide with gel-forming properties, but it can be expensive due to the lack of a Brazilian producer. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate other polysaccharides with a focus on developing essential oil emulsions. This research project aims to evaluate the use of polysaccharides (chitosan, carrageenan, pre-gel starch, xanthan gum, acacia gum and alginate) for the production of biogel with a focus on the controlled release of essential oil and repellent. The biogels will be compared with chitosan regarding the controlled release of eugenol, as a model compound. This project is part of a context that aims to use a biogel/emulsion as a vehicle for eugenol, which can be used to control pests such as citrus canker, and repel the Diaphorina citri psyllid that causes greening. The present study will contribute to the analysis and development of carriers, being an important step for subsequent industrial scaling and field application. (AU)