title: Application of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles containing atrazine herbicide as an alternative technique to control weeds and reduce damage to the environment.
abstract: Nanoparticles of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) containing the herbicide atrazine were prepared, characterized, and evaluated in terms of their herbicidal activity and genotoxicity. The stability of the nanoparticles was evaluated over a period of three months, considering the variables: size, polydispersion index, pH, and encapsulation efficiency. Tests on plants were performed with target (Brassica sp.) and non-target (Zea mays) organisms, and the nanoparticle formulations were shown to be effective for the control of the target species. Experiments using soil columns revealed that the use of nanoparticles reduced the mobility of atrazine in the soil. Application of the Allium cepa chromosome aberration assay demonstrated that the nanoparticle systems were able to reduce the genotoxicity of the herbicide. The formulations developed offer a useful means of controlling agricultural weeds, while at the same time reducing the risk of harm to the environment and human health.
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campus Universitário Zeferino Vaz, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 13083-870 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Anderson E S
authors: AE
authors: Pereira
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campus Universitário Zeferino Vaz, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 13083-870 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Renato
authors: R
authors: Grillo
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campus Universitário Zeferino Vaz, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 13083-870 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Nathalie F S
authors: NF
authors: Mello
authors: Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) , Avenida Três de Março, 511, CEP 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
authors: Andre H
authors: AH
authors: Rosa
authors: Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) , Avenida Três de Março, 511, CEP 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: leonardo@sorocaba.unesp.br.
authors: Leonardo F
authors: LF
authors: Fraceto
mesh_terms: D001280:Atrazine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001937:Brassica / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006540:Herbicides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D057685:Plant Weeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D058728:Weed Control / Q000379:methods*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006540:Herbicides; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D001280:Atrazine
keywords: Genotoxicity; Green nanotechnology; Herbicidal activity; Polymeric nanoparticles