Redox-Responsive Nanopesticides Based on Natural Polymers for Environmentally Safe Delivery of Pesticides with Enhanced Foliar Dispersion and Washout Resistance

Abstract

Based on the modified cross-linking of the degradable natural polymers chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) and gelatin (GEL) via introduction of a functional bridge 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid, this study constructed an environmentally responsive dinotefuran (DNF) delivery system (DNF@COS-SS-GEL). The introduction of the disulfide bond (−S–S–) endowed DNF@COS-SS-GEL with redox-responsive properties, allowing for the rapid release of pesticides when stimulated by glutathione (GSH) in the simulated insect. Compared with commercial DNF suspension concentrate (DNF-SC), DNF@COS-SS-GEL showed superior wet spreading and retention performance on cabbage leaves with a reduced contact angle (57°) at 180 s and 4-fold increased retention capacity after rainfall washout. Nanoencapsulation effectively improved the UV-photostability with only a 31.4% decomposition rate of DNF@COS-SS-GEL at 96 h. The small scale and large specific surface area resulted in excellent uptake and transportation properties in plants as well as higher bioactivity against Plutella xylostella larvae. This study will help promote sustainable agricultural development by reducing environmental pollution through improved pesticide utilization.