Researchers led by Dr. Mustafa Akbulut, a chemical engineering professor at Texas A&M University, have found ways to revolutionize pesticide use by making it more effective and environmentally friendly. This groundbreaking work focuses on enhancing how pesticides adhere to plant surfaces, ensuring better protection against pests.
Dr. Akbulut and his research team have developed a cutting-edge pesticide delivery system known as nanopesticides. These microscopic technologies, resulting from a collaboration between the engineering and agricultural colleges at Texas A&M and experts like Dr. Luis Cisneros-Zevallo, a professor of Horticultural Science, and Dr. Younjin Min, a professor of Chemical Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Riverside, hold the potential to transform our approach to pest management.
“The U.S. is a world leader in agricultural production, feeding not just our nation but much of the world. Yet we are using pesticides in a way that is simply not sustainable – with a substantial fraction not reaching its intended target,” said Akbulut. “Our research shows that by optimizing the surface chemistry of pesticide carriers, we can make these essential crop protection tools more efficient.”
The team studied different types of nanopesticide carriers, testing their “stickiness” to pepper leaves, which serve as a model for many important crops. They discovered that the carrier’s surface chemistry plays a significant role in how effectively the nanopesticide adheres to the plant.
Nanopesticides involve encapsulating active pesticide ingredients within tiny carriers. You can think of this as delivering a targeted package straight to the pest, thereby reducing unintended harm. This study aimed to understand how these nanopesticides engage with plant surfaces, an essential factor in enhancing their efficacy.
Pesticides play a crucial role in safeguarding crops from pests and diseases, and their absence could lead to significant harvest losses—up to 70-80% for fruits, 40-50% for vegetables, and 20-30% for cereals.
However, the current methods of applying pesticides are highly inefficient. Over 80-90% of sprayed pesticides fail to reach their intended target, instead contaminating the environment and causing harm. This not only poses environmental risks but also raises economic concerns.
In their research, Akbulut and Ph.D. candidate Yashwanth Arcot introduce an innovative solution—a compound that combines Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate (ELA), a safe food preservative, with neem seed extract. Arcot’s research delves into nanopesticide chemistry, aiming for improved targeting capabilities and examining the correlation between the nanopesticide carrier and its adsorption behavior.
Akbulut believes that utilizing nanopesticides can enhance efficacy by better targeting the surfaces of plants. His team is focused on modifying the interfacial properties of various pesticides using carriers that optimally interact with plant characteristics. The overarching aim of this research is to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly pesticide formulations that contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and bolster global food security.
“This study addresses a critical challenge in sustainable agriculture by optimizing nanopesticide systems to enhance efficacy, reduce environmental pollution, and minimize impacts on non-target organisms and human health,” Arcot said.
Neem seed serves as a naturally occurring pesticide derived from the seeds of the neem tree, utilized for managing pests and diseases in crops. The neem seed extract primarily originates from India and is categorized under organic pest management.
“Organic pesticides use this formulation, and we also use this molecule in the center. Although the carriers are different, the active ingredient inhibits or inactivates the pest.”
Various studies, show that nanopesticides are an innovative approach to crop protection that leverages agricultural technology, nanotechnology, and materials chemistry.
According to Akbulut, this research has significant implications for the future of agriculture, as customizing the surface chemistry of nanopesticides can enhance their efficiency. This ensures that more of the pesticide targets the intended pests while minimizing environmental pollution.
“For farmers or industry who are using the pesticides, they will clearly understand the value of this research,” Akbulut said. “Pesticides, in general, are considered bad for the environment; using neem seed extract ensures crop survival from pests and is non-toxic for consumption.”
Journal reference:
- Yashwanth Arcot, Minchen Mu, Monica Iepure, Rae Karell Yodong, Wentao Zhou, Younjin Min, Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, Mustafa E.S. Akbulut. Influence of nanopesticide surface chemistry on adsorption to plant cuticle and wax layer: The role of zeta potential and wetting. Surfaces and Interfaces, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2024.105190