Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) exhibit great potential as smart delivery systems in foods and agriculture. Zein (ZN) is a corn protein rich of prolamines of interest for ENP synthesis due to its hydrophobic properties and its biocompatible and biodegradable nature. Zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) (spherical and measuring an average diameter 135±3 nm) were synthesized by emulsion-diffusion method from FITC-tagged zein. Soybeans and sugarcane were exposed to ZNPs in a hydroponic system. Fluorescent measurement following digestion of plant tissue indicated that sugarcane roots had a significant adhesion of ZNPs, 342.5±24.2 μg NPs/mg of dry matter, while sugarcane leaves contained a very limited amount, 12.9±1.2 μg NPs/mg dry matter for high dose after 12 hrs. After ten days of hydroponic exposure, association between particles and roots of soybean plants was found to vary based on bulk nanoparticle concentration. While 0.37 mg NP/mg dry weight were detected in roots immersed in 0.88 mg NP/ml nanoparticle suspension, 0.58 mg NP/mg dry weight associated with roots immersed in a high dose nanoparticle suspension of 1.75 mg NP/ml at 10 days. Given their ability to adhere to roots for extended periods of time, ZNPs are proposed as effective delivery systems for agrochemicals, but more studies are needed to identify effect of nanoparticle exposure to health of the plants exposed to nanoparticles.

Zein nanoparticles as viable delivery systems for agrochemicals

255th National Meeting (2018)

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