Simultaneous encapsulation of bioactive components for nutrition and plant protection

Novel chitosan/alginate microcapsules simultaneously loaded with copper ions and Trichoderma viride have been prepared and characterized. Information about intermolecular interactions between biopolymers and bioactive agents were obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Encapsulation of Trichoderma viride spores and the presence of copper ions in the same compartment do not diminish their activity [1]. Dependence of microcapsule loading capacity and efficiency, swelling behavior and releasing depends on both, the size of the microcapsule and bioactive agents. The in vitro copper ions release profile was fitted to Korsmeyer–Peppas empirical model. Fickian diffusion was found to be a rate-controlling mechanism of release from smaller microcapsules, whereas anomalous transport kinetics controlled release from larger microcapsules. Trichoderma viride spores releasing profile exhibited exponential release over the initial lag time. Results obtained opened up perspectives for the future use of chitosan/alginate microcapsules simultaneously loaded with biological and chemical agents in the plant nutrition and protection [2]. [1] Vincekovic, Marko ; Jalsenjak, Nenad ; Topolovec-Pintaric, Snježana ; Đermic, Edyta ; Bujan, Marija ; Juric, Slaven, Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2016, 64, 8073-8083 [2] Topolovec-Pintaric, Snježana ; Vincekovic, Marko ; Jalsenjak, Nenad ; Martinko, Katarina ; Žutic, Ivanka ; Đermic, Edyta., 52nd CROATIAN AND 12th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON AGRICULTURE, 2017, 101- 104.