Synthesis, Characterization and Aqueous-Release Properties of Zinc-Starch Nanoparticles Encapsulating Pendimethalin

To caution the effect of environmental pollution caused using pesticides for the increase in agricultural yield, the development of controlled and slow-release delivery systems is crucial, zinc-starch composite as a delivery agent due to its slow-release property is used in the preparation of controlled released formulation of pendimethalin using hydrothermal bio-template method. Pendimethalin was encapsulated in the synthesized zinc-starch nanoparticles and were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The SEM images showed aggregate bud-shaped while the FT-IR spectra were observed at room temperature showing different peaks of functional groups. The aqueous release monitored for 96 hours in acidic (pH 4) basic medium (pH 9) and in neutral medium (pH 7) the cumulative percentage release was found to be 81 %, 77 %, 50% respectively due to the stability of pendimethalin in both acidic and basic media, Therefore, encapsulation of pendimethalin in zinc-starch nanoparticles is a good way of decreasing its rate of release and hence reducing pesticides hazard in the environment