Nanotechnology provides new innovative solutions for original as well as generic applications in a wide variety of industries including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, cosmetics, foods, nutraceuticals and home care. Nanoformulation is the reduction of particles size down to below 200 nm. The reduction of particle size leads to significantly increased solubility, leaf/cuticle permeability as well as increased biological efficacy when compared to the non-nanoized formulation at the same concentration. This can have major environmental benefits where the amount of pesticides used and soil contamination can be substantially reduced. Pesticides generally have low solubility as well as low dissolution velocity and exhibit a small concentration gradient across the leaf cuticle, which can result in low, variable absorption and a poor biological response. Based on the understanding that not only the solubility but also the rate of pesticide dissolution are primary driving forces behind improved efficacy of the pesticides, a series of pesticides were formulated as novel nanostructured particles (SpeedyNano™). Novel bottom-up nanoparticle pesticide delivery technology, that relies on controlled continuous flow nano-precipitation, was used for the preparation of unique nanostructured pesticide delivery systems. The properties of the produced nanostructures could be modified during the process by the precise control and optimization of various reaction parameters (e.g. temperature, flow rate, pH and concentration). The SpeedyNano™ versions of the pesticides were compared against their non-nanoized counterparts in terms of solubility, in green-house tests and field trials. A summary is given in figure 1 below. Our presentation will detail the methods of manufacturing the SpeedyNano™ pesticides along with the results from the above tests. The presentation will highlight the significant benefit that can be achieved by the unique nanostructured particle formation and will be applicable for many other pesticides with limited solubility to transform them into an instantaneously redispersable form with increased solubility.

Novel nanostructured pesticide delivery technology to enhance leaf/cuticle penetration and to decrease environmental loading

254th National Meeting (2017)

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