Preparation of spinosad/carboxymethyl chitosan sustained-release suspension concentrate
Based on the low solubility of carboxymethyl chitosan near its isoelectric point,spinosad/carboxymethyl chitosan sustained-release suspension concentrate was prepared by adjusting the pH of the solution.Its control effect on Plutella xylostella(Lepidoptera:Plutellidae)larvae was preliminarily explored.The results showed that the sustained-release suspension concentrate could be prepared under the conditions of carboxymethyl chitosan hydrochloric acid solution 1.0%and spinosad methanol solution 1.5%,the mass ratio of 2∶1(carboxymethyl chitosan to spinosad),at shear emulsification of 15 000 r/min for 3 min.The resulted milky white suspension featured a good loading content of 25%and a high encapsulation efficiency of 74%.The median particle size was determined to be about 48 μm,which would decrease to approximately 3 μm when diluted.Infrared spectrum analysis indicated that the spinosad was successfully encapsulated by carboxymethyl chitosan,and the primary interaction between them was physical adsorption.Comparing with conventional suspension concentrate,the prepared sustained-release formulation had better quick-acting performance and longer duration in controlling Plutella xylostella,which exhibited good application potential in reducing the amount and increasing the efficacy of spinosad.