Nanoparticles of poly-e-caprolactone containing the herbicide atrazine were prepared and evaluated in terms of their herbicidal activity and genotoxicity. Size distribution measurements showed that the nanocapsules and nanospheres loaded atrazine were 483.1 � 2.5 and 408.5 � 2.5 nm, respectively. Atrazine encapsulation efficiencies were obtained for both the nanocapsules and the nanospheres, with values of 93.4 � 1.2% and 92.7 � 1.2%, respectively. Assays on plants were performed with target (Brassica sp.) and non-target (Zea mays) organisms and indicated the agricultural potential of nanocapsules, in that the development of a non-target species was not affected, while the herbicidal activity towards a target plant was increased in relation to the control. Experiments using soil columns revealed that the use of nanoparticles reduced the mobility of atrazine in the soil and confirmed the greater efficiency of the treatment using atrazine associated with nanoparticle. Application of the Allium cepa chromosome aberration assay demonstrated that nanoparticles formulations containing atrazine at low concentrations produced fewer chromosomal aberrations, compared to free atrazine, indicating that the association of the active principle with the carrier system was able to diminish the damage to the DNA of the Allium cepa cells. Nonetheless, at higher concentrations, there was an increase in the damage index, although the increases were smaller than those observed for free atrazine. The formulations developed offer a useful means of controlling agricultural weeds, while at the same time reducing the risk of harm to the environment and human health. (Acknowledgments: Fapesp, Capes, CNPq and Fundunesp)

Poly-e�caprolactone nanoparticles containing atrazine:  From the preparation to evaluation of the herbicide activity and genotoxic effects

248th National Meeting (2014)

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