A Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Nanodelivery System for Enhanced Rice Blast Treatment
Dekun Hu, Qiang Bian, Xianfu Mu, Fengpei Du, Hao Tian, Zhichao Jin, Peiyi Wang
Abstract
The development of nanopesticides with minimized carriers (NMCs) through prodrug design and molecular self-assembly represents a transformative strategy for enhancing pesticide utilization efficiency and addressing global food security challenges. As a proof of concept, we developed A12@DES, a water-based nanodelivery system that combines a target-specific pesticide with a deep eutectic solvent (DES). The system utilizes a laccase inhibitor (A12, structurally optimized from lead compound PMDD-5Y) to self-assemble into monodisperse nanospheres (∼160 nm diameter) with an alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-responsive DES matrix. The formulation demonstrates multiple functional advantages: (1) a simple preparation process, (2) substantially reduced droplet bouncing and splashing, (3) enhanced foliar wetting performance, and (4) ultimately improved pesticide deposition efficiency. Intriguingly, A12@DES supports rice growth and demonstrates minimal toxicity to nontarget organisms. At a low dose of 200 μg/mL, A12@DES exhibits superior in vivo curative and protective efficacies (74.43%/85.53%) against Magnaporthe oryzae compared to both the commercial fungicide isoprothiolane (57.48%/63.29%) and A12 alone (66.69%/69.95%). This study provides a reference for the development of multipurpose water-based nanopesticide delivery systems based on prodrug technology and DES conception, improving the comprehensive utilization efficiency of fungicides for high-risk rice blast control.