Preparation, characterization, and bio-efficacy evaluation of controlled release carbendazim-loaded polymeric nanoparticles.

Synthesis and controlled release study of polymeric nanoformulation of carbendazim (2-benzimidazole carbamic acid methyl ester) using chitosan and pectin is reported in this article. The formulation was subjected to morphological, physiological, in vitro fungicide release and bio-efficacy evaluation studies. The average size of nanoparticles was found to be in the range of 70-90 nm as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The in vitro fungicide release of nanoformulated carbendazim was compared with pure carbendazim at different pH values. The results confirmed sustained release of nanoformulated carbendazim. The bio-efficacy evaluation of the carbendazim nanoformulation was carried out against Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus parasiticus. The nanoformulation showed 100 % inhibition of test fungi at both concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 ppm) while pure carbendazim showed 80 ± 0 % and 97.2 ± 1.1 % inhibition at 0.5 and 1.0 ppm concentration respectively against Fusarium oxysporum and 86.0 ± 0.6 % inhibition and 100.0 % inhibition at 0.5 and 1.0 ppm concentration respectively against Aspergillus parasiticus. The commercial formulation (WP 50) showed 42 % and 58.0 ± 0.1 % inhibition at 0.5 and 1 ppm concentration respectively against Aspergillus parasiticus and 50.5 ± 0.7 % and 70.0 ± 0 % inhibition at 0.5 and 1.0 ppm concentrations respectively against Fusarium oxysporum. Phytotoxicity evaluation of nanoformulated fungicide confirmed that the nanoformulated carbendazim is safer for germination and root growth of the seeds of Cucumis sativa, Zea mays, and Lycopersicum esculantum.