ARS | Publication request: STARCH GEL MATRICES USED FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE OF VOLATILE LIQUIDS

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 30, 2005
Publication Date: May 12, 2006
Citation: Glenn, G.M., Klamczynski, A., Ludvik, C.N., Shey, J., Imam, S.H., Chiou, B., Mc Hugh, T.H., Orts, W.J. 2006. Starch gel matrices used for controlled release of volatile liquids. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(9):3297-3304.

Interpretive Summary: The controlled release of volatile, agrochemicals is critical in developing approaches to pest control that are economically viable and environmentally sound. Dispensing systems that are made of materials that degrade in agricultural environments when they are spent offer distinct advantages over non-degrading systems that must be collected from the field when their functional life is over. The present study demonstrates that starch gels and foams along with biobased films and coatings are effective in controlling the release of volatile liquids. The starch gels were used to control the release of 2-heptanone which is important for controlling parasitic mites in bee colonies.

Technical Abstract: The controlled release of volatile, agrochemicals is critical in developing approaches to pest control that are economically viable and environmentally sound. Dispensing systems that are made of materials that degrade in agricultural environments when they are spent offer distinct advantages over non-degrading systems that must be collected from the field when their functional life is over. The present study describes the use of starch gels and foams along with biobased films and coatings to control the release of volatile liquids with particular emphasis on 2-heptanone, which has miticidal properties. Starch foam matrices immobilized several times their weight of solvent but were not effective in adequately controlling the release rate of 2-heptanone. Films made of beeswax, paraffin, ethylene (vinyl alcohol) copolymer (48 mol% ethylene) and a commercial fruit film were used as coatings to reduce the vapor transmission rate of volatile liquids. The release rate of 2-heptanone was effectively controlled by using films of beeswax, blends of beeswax and paraffin wax or laminates consisting of beeswax and fruit film.