Biodegradable and Light-Responsive Polymeric Nanoparticles for Environmentally Safe Herbicide Delivery

The low utilization efficiency of pesticides exerts an adverse impact on the environment and human health. Polymer-related controlled release nanosized pesticide systems provide a promising and efficient way to overcome the problem. In this work, a biodegradable and light-responsive amphiphilic polymer was synthesized via 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidinepromoted polyesterification under mild conditions (low temperature, no vacuum, and no inert gas protection). We used this polymer to fabricate a light-triggered controlled-release nanosized pesticide system. The herbicide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), was selected as a model drug to show its potential as a controlled-release pesticide system. It was found that the 2,4-D-loaded polymeric nanoparticles were stable without the treatment of UV, while the release rate of 2,4-D from the nanoparticles gradually increased after treatment with UV light. Pot trial showed that the 2,4-D loaded polymer nanoparticles showed a good herbicidal effect. Finally, toxicity studies suggested that the polymer can reduce toxicity to nontarget organisms.

Automated summary

Polymer-related controlled release nanosized pesticide systems offer a promising and efficient solution to improve the utilization efficiency of pesticides. This system, which is biodegradable and light-responsive, can achieve the controlled release effect of the herbicide 2,4-D under specific conditions, showing good herbicidal effects and reduced toxicity to nontarget organisms.