Strategic Design of a Electrospinning HPγCD-Teb Nanofibrous Membranes for Synergistic Antifungal Dynamics and Drug Sustained Release for Crop Protection
Shuang Gao, Yan Zhang, Anqi Wang, Lei Deng, Fengrui Li
Abstract
The prevention and control of crop diseases remain critical components in ensuring agricultural productivity and ecological stability. The extensive use of conventional pesticides has ensured the crop yields but inevitably led to a series of environmental problems. Consequently, this motivates us to develop new and efficient pesticide formulations with controlled release for agricultural applications. We employ a confined inclusion strategy toward encapsulating one tebuconazole (Teb) within a hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HPγCD) and further prepare nanofibers through the electrospinning process under a high electric field. The inclusion complex is favorable for reducing the dependence on organic solvents during electrospinning and facilitating the water solubility, biocompatibility, and bioavailability of Teb. The initial burst release of Teb was suppressed by host–guest interaction in Teb/HPγCD inclusion complex nanofibers (Teb/HPγCD-IC-NF), prolonging the release and achieving a sustained-release rate of about 93%. The antifungal activity of Teb/HPγCD-IC-NF against Gibberella and Botrytis cinerea is enhanced by 2.02 and 1.88 times compared to that of pure Teb and Teb/HPγCD-IC-NF, exhibiting superior antifungal activity on tomato fruits. The LC 50 value of Teb/HPγCD-IC-NF increased 2.98 times compared to Teb, indicating improved safety for soil nontarget organisms. This study presents a paradigm for the development of pesticide formulations, aiming to provide a feasible method for sustainable agriculture production.