Slow-Release Formulation of a New Biological Pesticide, Pyoluteorin, with Mesoporous Silica

A slow-release formula of potential biological pesticide Pyoluteorin (Pit) was prepared by using nanophase material of silicon dioxide loading drugs. The final experimental formula was m(Plt: Brij56:TMOS:HCl(aq)) = 0.04:1.4:2:1, synthesized by a highly ordered monolith (HOM) method. This formula can continuously release 85.13 +/- 2.03 % of Pit within 28 days. A characterization study showed the formula formed a well-ordered mesoporous structure, with a surface area of 822 m(2) g(-1), with a measured mesoporous volume of 0.41 cm(3) g(-1) and a narrow distribution for the pore size centered at 2.4 nm. A bioactivity experiment showed it authentically prolonged the antifungal effects. This study is the first to report mesoporous formulations for biological pesticides and indicates a potentially interesting drug carrier. The association of a nanostructured silica to the molecular state of the drug holds great interests for field applications as it overcomes the rapid loss of biological function during drug utilities.