Zein and lignin-based nanoparticles as soybean seed treatment: translocation and impact on seed and plant health

Zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) were synthesized with a cationic surfactant, didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (122.9 +/- 0.8 nm, + 59.7 +/- 4.4 mV) and a non-ionic surfactant, Tween 80 (118.7 +/- 1.7 nm, +26.4 +/- 1.1 mV). Lignin-graft-poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles (LNPs) were made without surfactants (52.9 +/- 0.2 nm, - 54.9 +/- 0.5 mV). Both samples were applied as antifungal seed treatments on soybeans, and their impact on germination and plant health was assessed. Treated seeds showed high germination rates (> 90% for all treatment groups), similar to the control group (100%). Root and stem lengths and the dry biomass of treated seeds were not statistically distinguishable from the control. Foliage from seed-treated plants was fed to larvae of Chrysodeixis includens with no differences in mortality between treatments. No translocation of fluorescently tagged particles was observed with fluorescence microscopy following seed treatment and germination. Nano-delivered azoxystrobin provided similar to 100% protection when LNPs were used. Results suggest ZNPs and LNPs are safe and effective delivery systems of active compounds for seed treatments.

Automated summary

This study synthesized zein nanoparticles and lignin-graft-poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles using surfactants and applied them as antifungal seed treatments on soybeans. The results showed that the treated seeds had similar germination rates and plant health compared to the control group, indicating that these nanoparticles are safe and effective delivery systems for active compounds in seed treatments.