Novel Copper Alginate Microspheres as Ecological Fungicides

Marko Vinceković (), Slaven Jurić, Kristina Vlahoviček-Kahlina, Adrijana Novak, Dario Ivić, Laura Hazler, Tanja Jurkin, Arijeta Bafti and Nataša Šijaković Vujičić
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Marko Vinceković: Division of Agroecology, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Slaven Jurić: Division of Agroecology, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Kristina Vlahoviček-Kahlina: Division of Agroecology, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Adrijana Novak: Centre for Plant Protection, Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food, Gorice 68b, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Dario Ivić: Centre for Plant Protection, Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food, Gorice 68b, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Laura Hazler: Division of Agroecology, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tanja Jurkin: Radiation Chemistry and Dosimetry Laboratory, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička c. 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Arijeta Bafti: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića19, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Nataša Šijaković Vujičić: Division of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička c. 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-23

Abstract: Phytopathogenic fungi are living organisms that cause plant diseases and great damage to agricultural products. Despite the wide range of commercial fungicide products in use, there is a clear need for new and environmentally friendly fungicides. Here we propose a new ecological fungicide, copper alginate microspheres prepared by ionic gelation. The microspheres were characterized (morphology and topography, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, swelling behavior, rheology, kinetics and mechanism of copper ions release) and their in vitro antifungal potential against selected genera of phytopathogenic fungi was evaluated. Copper alginate microspheres inhibited spore germination of Botrytis cinerea . Compared to the control, the inhibition of B. cinerea spore germination (48%) was greater than that of the commercial fungicide Neoram ® (22%). The mycelial growth of Cercospora beticola and Phytophthora ramorum was also significantly inhibited by the addition of copper alginate microspheres. Novel fungicide offer effective disease control while minimizing environmental impact and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.

Keywords: encapsulation; copper alginate microspheres; ecological formulation; fungicides (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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