Chitosan beads with neem and encapsulated entomopathogenic fungal spores for pest control

Resumen

Objective: To synthesize chitosan beads with neem and encapsulated entomopathogenic fungal spores for pest control through their controlled release.

Methodology: Beads were synthetized by means of chitosan suspensions with each of the spores of the entomopathogenic fungi (B. bassiana, M. robertsii, and I. javanica), and the neem extract (Azadirachtin extract in water and in oil), which were crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate. The synthesized beads were characterized through the determination of their average diameter, moisture percentage, and morphology, using scanning electron microscopy. Subsequently, the swelling kinetics of each bead were carried out and the first and second order kinetic models were adjusted.

Results: The synthesized beads had stable structures and homogeneous diameters, with a >90 % moisture content in all cases. The morphological analysis revealed that the internal structure of the beads has cavernous networks with homogeneously distributed pores. Finally, the swelling kinetics of the beads showed a better adjustment to the second order model.

Study Limitations: The study was limited to three entomopathogenic fungi and two neem extracts.

Conclusions: The neem and the entomopathogenic fungal spores were encapsulated in the chitosan beads, which will allow the controlled release of both the neem and the spores due to their porous structure and swelling capacity