Ecotoxicity studies of two atrazine nanoformulations: From the evaluation of stability in media to the effects on aquatic organisms.

In the field of agriculture, nanopesticides have been developed as an alternative to the conventional pesticides, being more efficient for pest control. However, before their widespread application it is essential to evaluate their safe application and no environmental impacts. In this paper, we evaluated the toxicological effects of two kinds of atrazine nanoformulations (ATZ NPs) in different biological models (Raphidocelis subcapitata, Danio rerio, Lemna minor, Artemia salina, Lactuca sativa and Daphnia magna) and compared the results with nanoparticle stability over time and the presence of natural organic matter (NOM).

Post-emergence herbicidal activity of nanoatrazine against Colla plants compared to other weed species.

The encapsulation of atrazine into poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanocapsules has been shown to improve the efficiency of the herbicide and decrease its environmental impacts. In the current work, we evaluated the efficiency of nanoatrazine in the post-emergence control of Colla plants and performed a meta-analysis to compare the results with studies already published with other weeds. The first experiment was carried out in the field, where we observed that nanoatrazine (at 200 g a.

Chitosan nanoparticles containing the insecticide dimethoate: A new approach in the reduction of harmful ecotoxicological effects.

Organophosphate insecticides such as dimethoate (DMT) are widely used in agriculture. As a side effect, however, these insecticides contaminate bodies of water, resulting in damage to aquatic organisms. The development of nanopesticides may be an innovative alternative in the control of agricultural pests, increasing effectiveness and reducing their toxicological effects.

Foliar absorption and field herbicidal studies of atrazine-loaded polymeric nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles loaded with atrazine show weed control efficacy even with lower application doses of the active ingredient. Changes in the mode of action of the herbicide through the nanoformulation are key to understanding the efficiency of post-emergence activity of nanoatrazine. Here, we report the leaf absorption and translocation of nanoatrazine and atrazine employing radiometric techniques and compare their herbicidal effects in greenhouse and field conditions.

Nanotechnology Potential in Seed Priming for Sustainable Agriculture.

Our agriculture is threatened by climate change and the depletion of resources and biodiversity. A new agriculture revolution is needed in order to increase the production of crops and ensure the quality and safety of food, in a sustainable way. Nanotechnology can contribute to the sustainability of agriculture.

Sublethal effects of waterborne copper and copper nanoparticles on the freshwater Neotropical teleost Prochilodus lineatus: A comparative approach.

Copper nanoparticles can contaminate the aquatic environment, but their effects on fish and how they may differ from copper salts is not understood. Thus, in this work we compare the sublethal effects of copper nanoparticles (nCu) and copper chloride (Cu) on the freshwater teleost Prochilodus lineatus, known for its sensitivity to copper. Juveniles (n = 8/group) were exposed to 20 μg L of copper as CuCl (Cu), 40 μg L of copper nanoparticles (nCu), or only water (control), for 96 h.

Development of stimuli-responsive nano-based pesticides: emerging opportunities for agriculture.

Pesticides and fertilizers are widely used to enhance agriculture yields, although the fraction of the pesticides applied in the field that reaches the targets is less than 0.1%. Such indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides is disadvantageous due to the cost implications and increasing human health and environmental concerns.

Polymeric nanoparticles as an alternative for application of gibberellic acid in sustainable agriculture: a field study.

Nanocarrier systems for the encapsulation of agrochemicals can contribute to sustainable agriculture, but few nanosystems have been developed for plant growth regulators (PGRs). The present study evaluated the effects of seed priming using alginate/chitosan (nanoALG/CS) and chitosan/tripolyphosphate (nanoCS/TPP) containing GA on the growth and productivity of Solanum lycopersicum cultivated under field conditions. The results demonstrated that nanocarrier systems could improve fruit production, with the productivity increasing almost 4-fold using nanoALG/CS-GA.

Can atrazine loaded nanocapsules reduce the toxic effects of this herbicide on the fish Prochilodus lineatus? A multibiomarker approach.

Atrazine (ATZ) is a widely used herbicide that has the potential to contaminate the environment and cause deleterious effects on non-target organisms. Release systems for ATZ have been developed to minimize this contamination, such as nanocapsules prepared with poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of nanoencapsulated ATZ compared to ATZ on biomarkers of the freshwater teleost Prochilodus lineatus.

Controlled release system for ametryn using polymer microspheres: preparation, characterization and release kinetics in water.

The purpose of this work was to develop a modified release system for the herbicide ametryn by encapsulating the active substance in biodegradable polymer microparticles produced using the polymers poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) or poly(hydroxybutyrate-valerate) (PHBV), in order to both improve the herbicidal action and reduce environmental toxicity. PHB or PHBV microparticles containing ametryn were prepared and the efficiencies of herbicide association and loading were evaluated, presenting similar values of approximately 40%. The microparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed that the average sizes of the PHB and PHBV microparticles were 5.

Evaluation of the genotoxicity of chitosan nanoparticles for use in food packaging films.

The use of nanoparticles in food packaging has been proposed on the basis that it could improve protection of foods by, for example, reducing permeation of gases, minimizing odor loss, and increasing mechanical strength and thermal stability. Consequently, the impacts of such nanoparticles on organisms and on the environment need to be investigated to ensure their safe use. In an earlier study, Moura and others (2008a) described the effect of addition of chitosan (CS) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties, water vapor, and oxygen permeability of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films used in food packaging.