The new nano-formulations investigated by Dr. Mohammad Ghadamyari, a researcher and faculty member at the University of Guilan have led to the development of a cleaner and more effective pesticide, useful for attracting and then destroying pests.
Funded by Iran National Science Foundation (INSF), photodegradable and biocompatible nanoformulations of imidacloprid and indoxacarb were prepared in the study by the direct encapsulation of each one with linear dendritic poly (citric acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(citric acid) (PCA-PEG-PCA) copolymers.
The results of Ghadamyari’s investigation indicate that due to the non-immediate effect of nano-pesticide, excessive spraying and environmental pollutions are decreased and harmful effects on non-target organisms are reduced.
In addition, faster degradation of nanoformulations significantly decreases the amount of time they can interact with the environment, making them a remarkably safer choice as pesticides.
The results of the research appear in four papers published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Environmental Science Processes and Impacts, Invertebrate Survival Journal ISJ, and Journal of Entomological Society of Iran.