pH-Responsive L-Cysteine-conjugated Polydopamine Nanocarriers for Controlled Release of Emamectin Benzoate against <italic style="font-style: italic">Pieris brassicae</italic>

Kirna Devi; Sunil Kumar; Ishani Saini; Alka Rana; Rajender Kumar

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3699-1

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

pH-Responsive L-Cysteine-conjugated Polydopamine Nanocarriers for Controlled Release of Emamectin Benzoate against Pieris brassicae

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-08-31

- pH-Responsive L-Cysteine-conjugated Polydopamine Nanocarriers for Controlled Release of Emamectin Benzoate against Pieris brassicae
- pH-Responsive L-Cysteine-conjugated Polydopamine Nanocarriers for Controlled Release of Emamectin Benzoate against Pieris brassicae
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science 2026年44卷第9期页码：3026-3041
- Affiliations：
  
  a.Department of Chemistry and Chemical Sciences, School of Physical and Material Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala-176215, Himachal Pradesh, India
  b.Department of Animal Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala-176215, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Author bio：
  
  rajender.cuhp@gmail.com
- Funds：
  
  Kirna Devi acknowledges the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for financial assistance for research work through National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribe (NFST) (No. 202223-NFST-HIM-00379). The authors express their sincere gratitude to the Central University of Himachal Pradesh for providing access to their research facilities for this study. We would also like to acknowledge MNIT Jaipur, IIT Jammu, IIT Delhi, and CU Jammu for providing the different characterization techniques.;The authors declare no interest conflict.Data will be made available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3699-1
  中图分类号：
- 收稿：2026-02-02，
  
  录用：2026-04-04，
  
  网络首发：2026-08-03，
  
  纸质出版：2026-09-05
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Devi, K.; Kumar, S.; Saini, I.; Rana, A.; Kumar, R. pH-Responsive L-cysteine-conjugated polydopamine nanocarriers for controlled release of emamectin benzoate against pieris brassicae. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 3026–3041

Kirna Devi, Sunil Kumar, Ishani Saini, et al. pH-Responsive L-Cysteine-conjugated Polydopamine Nanocarriers for Controlled Release of Emamectin Benzoate against Pieris brassicae[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(9): 3026-3041. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-026-3699-1.
Devi, K.; Kumar, S.; Saini, I.; Rana, A.; Kumar, R. pH-Responsive L-cysteine-conjugated polydopamine nanocarriers for controlled release of emamectin benzoate against pieris brassicae. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 3026–3041 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3699-1.

Kirna Devi, Sunil Kumar, Ishani Saini, et al. pH-Responsive L-Cysteine-conjugated Polydopamine Nanocarriers for Controlled Release of Emamectin Benzoate against Pieris brassicae[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(9): 3026-3041. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-026-3699-1. DOI：

摘要

A green-synthesized L-cysteine-conjugated Polydopamine (PDC) nanocarriers was developed for efficient encapsulation and controlled release of emamectin benzoate (EMB). The nanocarriers exhibits pH-responsive release behavior

enhanced photostability

adhesion and insecticidal efficacy

offering a sustainable strategy in smart pesticide delivery system.

Abstract

Biodegradable polymeric nanocarriers demonstrate significant potential for the controlled release of pesticides

offering a sustainable and efficient approach for agriculture. This study involves the synthesis of novel pH-responsive L-cysteine-conjugated polydopamine (PDC) nanospheres for the controlled release of emamectin benzoate (EMB). Using sustainable

in situ

polymerization

hydrophobic EMB was encapsulated within biodegradable polydopamine (PDA)

which was further conjugated with L-cysteine. The functionalized and encapsulated carriers were characterized using UV

visible spectroscopy

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

zeta potential

field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM)

high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM)

and X-ray photoelectron spe

ctroscopy (XPS). Both EMB@PDA and EMB@PDC nanospheres were assessed for their encapsulation efficiency and pH-responsive release of EMB. Under varying pH and temperature conditions

the maximum cumulative release of EMB was achieved at pH=3 and was further enhanced by temperature. Various kinetic models have shown that Fick’s diffusion controls the release process. EMB@PDC nanospheres exhibited excellent adhesion to plant surfaces and effectively protected against UV radiation

which reduced EMB loss through rainfall washout and photolytic degradation. In addition

EMB@PDC exhibited high insecticidal potency against

Pieris brassicae

. Hence

this integrative platform exemplifies an effective pesticide delivery system for promoting agricultural sustainability.

关键词

Keywords

references

Pan, X.; Guo, X.; Zhai, T.; Zhang, D.; Rao, W.; Cao, F.; Guan, X. Nanobiopesticides in sustainable agriculture: developments, challenges, and perspectives. Environ. Sci. Nano. 2023 , 10 , 41−61..

Aktar, M.W.; Sengupta, D.; and Chowdhury, A. Impact of pesticides use in agriculture: their benefits and hazards. Interdiscip. Toxicol. 2009 , 2 , 1−12..

Nuruzzaman, M.; Rahman, M.M.; Liu, Y.; Naidu, R. Nanoencapsulation, nano-guard for pesticides: a new window for safe application. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2016 , 64 , 1447−1483..

[Chaudhary, V.; Kumar, M.; Chauhan, C.; Sirohi, U.; Srivastav, A. L.; Rani, L. Strategies for mitigation of pesticides from the environment through alternative approaches: a review of recent developments and future prospects. J. Environ. Manage . 2024 . 354 , 120326..

Kumar, S.; Nehra, M.; Dilbaghi, N.; Marrazza, G.; Hassan, A. A.; Kim, K. H. Nano-based smart pesticide formulations: emerging opportunities for agriculture. J. Controlled Release 2019 , 294 , 131−153..

Usman, M.; Farooq, M.; Wakeel, A.; Nawaz, A.; Cheema, S. A.; ur Rehman, H.; Ashraf; I.; Sanaullah, M. Nanotechnology in agriculture: current status, challenges and future opportunities. Sci. Total Environ. 2020 , 721 , 137778..

Sikder, A.; Pearce, A. K.; Parkinson, S. J.; Napier, R.; O’Reilly, R. K. Recent trends in advanced polymer materials in agriculture related applications. ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 2021 , 3 , 1203−1217..

Zhao, X.; Cui, H.; Wang, Y.; Sun, C.; Cui, B.; Zeng, Z. Development strategies and prospects of nano-based smart pesticide formulation. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2017 , 66 , 6504−6512..

Ma, C.; Li, G.; Xu, W.; Qu, H.; Zhang,H.; Bahojb Noruzi, E.; Li, H. Recent advances in stimulus-responsive nanocarriers for pesticide delivery. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2024 , 72 , 8906−8927..

Camara, M. C.; Campos, E. V. R.; Monteiro, R. A.; do Espirito Santo Pereira; A., de Freitas Proença, P. L., Fraceto, L. F. Development of stimuli-responsive nano-based pesticides: emerging opportunities for agriculture. J. Nanobiotechnol. 2019 , 17 , 1−19..

[Kocak, G.; Tuncer, C. A. N. S. E. L.; Bütün, V. J. P. C. pH-Responsive polymers. Polym. Chem . 2017 , 8 , 144−176..

Singh, A.; Dhiman, N.; Kar, A. K.; Singh, D.; Purohit, M. P.; Ghosh, D.; Patnaik, S. Advances in controlled release pesticide formulations: Prospects to safer integrated pest management and sustainable agriculture. J. Hazard. Mater. 2020 , 385 , 121525..

Shen, M.; Liu, S.; Jiang, C.; Zhang, T.; Chen, W. Recent advances in stimuli-response mechanisms of nano-enabled controlled-release fertilizers and pesticides. Eco-Environ. Health 2023 , 2 , 161−175..

Roy, A.; Singh, S. K.; Bajpai, J.; Bajpai,A. K. Controlled pesticide release from biodegradable polymers. Cent. Eur. J. Chem. 2014 , 12 , 453−469..

Liu, Y.; Ai, K.; Lu, L. Polydopamine and its derivative materials: synthesis and promising applications in energy, environmental, and biomedical fields. Chem. Rev 2014 , 114 , 5057−5115..

Ryu, J.H.; Messersmith, P.B.; Lee, H. Polydopamine surface chemistry: a decade of discovery. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2018 , 10 , 7523−7540..

Lee, H. A.; Ma, Y.; Zhou, F.; Hong, S.; Lee, H. Material-independent surface chemistry beyond polydopamine coating. Acc. Chem. Res. 2019 , 52 , 704−713..

Liebscher, J.; Mrówczyński, R.; Scheidt, H.A.; Filip, C.; Hădade, N.D.; Turcu, R.; Bende, A.; Beck, S. Structure of polydopamine: a never-ending story. Langmuir 2013 , 29 , 10539−10548..

Patel, K.; Kushwaha, P.; Kumar, S; Kumar, R. Lysine and α-aminoisobutyric acid conjugated bioinspired polydopamine surfaces for the enhanced antibacterial performance of the foley catheter. ACS Appl. Bio Mater. 2019 , 2 , 5799−5809..

[Wolterink, G.; van Kesteren, P.; McGregor, D. Emamectin benzoate. JMPR 2011 , 211−252..

Mushtaq, M.; Chukwudebe, A.C.; Wrzesinski, C.; Allen, L.R.; Luffer-Atlas, D.; Arison, B.H. Photodegradation of emamectin benzoate in aqueous solutions. J. Agric. Food Chem. 1998 , 46 , 1181−1191..

Shi, L.; Yan, W.; Sun, L.; Hou, C.; Wei, N.; Chen, Z.; Feng, J. Preparation and characterization of emamectin benzoate nanocapsules based on the dual role of polydopamine. Pest Manage. Sci. 2022 , 78 , 4407−4416..

Lee, H.; Dellatore, S. M.; Miller, W. M.; Messersmith, P. B. Mussel-inspired surface chemistry for multifunctional coatings. Science 2007 , 318 , 426−430..

Zou, A.; Yang, Y.; Cheng, J.; Garamus, V.M.; Li, N. Construction and characterization of a novel sustained-release delivery system for hydrophobic pesticides using biodegradable polydopamine-based microcapsules. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2018 , 66 , 6262−6268..

Wen, H.; Zhou, H.; Hao, L.; Chen, H.; Xu, H.; Zhou, X. Enzyme cum pH dual-responsive controlled release of avermectin from functional polydopamine microcapsules. Colloids Surf. B 2020 , 186 , 110699..

Jia, X.; Sheng, W.B.; Li, W.; Tong, Y.B.; Liu, Z.Y.; Zhou, F. Adhesive polydopamine coated avermectin microcapsulesfor prolonging foliar pesticide retention. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2014 , 6 , 19552−19558..

Dash, S. Kinetic modeling on drug release from controlled drug delivery systems. Acta Pol. Pharm. 2010 , 67 , 217−223..

Jiang, F.; Zhang, J.; Xu, H.; Lu, Y.; Wei, S.; Li, Z. In situ preparation of monodisperse lignin-poly(lactic acid) microspheres for efficient encapsulation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and controlled release. React. Funct. Polym. 2023 , 184 , 105517..

Shen, Z.; Zhou, X.; Sun, X.; Xu, H.; Chen, H.; Zhou, H. Preparation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid loaded on cysteamine-modified polydopamine and its release behaviors. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47469..

Khanna, A.; Kumar S. In vitro evaluation of neem-based nematicides against Meloidogyne incognita. Nematol. Mediterr. 2006 , 34 , 49−54..

[Finney, D. J. Probit analysis; a statistical treatment of the sigmoid response curve . 1 st Edition, Cambridge University Press , Cambridge, UK, 1947 , p.256.

Xu, X.; Bai, B.; Wang, H.; Suo, Y. A near-infrared and temperature-responsive pesticide release platform through core–shell polydopamine@ PNIPAm nanocomposites. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2017 , 9 , 6424−6432..

Yang, W.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Q.; Wu, J.; Duan, G.; Xu, W.; Jian, S. Magnetically separable and recyclable Fe3O4@ PDA covalent grafted by l-cysteine core-shell nanoparticles toward efficient removal of Pb2+. Vacuum 2021 , 189 , 110229..

Zhang, X.; Nie, Y.; Zhang, Q.; Liang, Z.; Ma, Q. A novel l-cysteine regulated polydopamine nanoparticle-based electrochemiluminescence image application. J. Mater. Chem. C 2020 , 8 , 8592−8600..

Elabasy, A.; Shoaib, A.; Waqas, M.; Jiang, M.; Shi, Z. Synthesis, characterization, and pesticidal activity of emamectin benzoate nanoformulations against Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Molecules 2019 , 24 , 2801..

Guo, M.; Zhang, W.; Ding, G.; Guo, D.; Zhu, J.; Wang, B.; Punyapitak, D.; Cao, Y. Preparation and characterization of enzyme-responsive emamectin benzoate microcapsules based on a copolymer matrix of silica–epichlorohydrin–carboxymethylcellulose. RSC Adv. 2015 , 5 , 93170−93179..

Cui, B.; Li, J.; Lai, Z.; Gao, F.; Zeng, Z.; Zhao, X.; Liu, G.; Cui, H. Emamectin benzoate-loaded zein nanoparticles produced by antisolvent precipitation method. Polym. Test. 2021 , 94 , 107020..

Tong, Y.; Shao, L.; Li, X.; Lu, J.; Sun, H.; Xiang, S.; Zhang, Z.; Wu, Y.; Wu, X. Adhesive and stimulus-responsive polydopamine-coated graphene oxide system for pesticide-loss control. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2018 , 66 , 2616−2622..

Singh, N.; Nayak, J.; Sahoo, S. K.; Kumar, R. Glutathione conjugated superparamagnetic Fe 3 O 4 -Au core shell nanoparticles for pH controlled release of DOX. Mater. Sci. Eng. C 2019 , 100 , 453−465..

Xiang, Y.;Zhang, G.; Chen, C.; Liu, B.; Cai, D.; Wu, Z. Fabrication of a pH-responsively controlled-release pesticide using an attapulgite-based hydrogel. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2018 , 6 , 1192−1201..

Paarakh, M.P.; Jose, P.A.; Setty, C.M.; Peterchristoper, G.V. Release kinetics–concepts and applications. Int. J. Pharm. Res. Technol. 2018 , 8 , 12−20..

Fu, Y.; Kao, W.J. Drug release kinetics and transport mechanisms of non-degradable and degradable polymeric delivery systems. Expert Opin. Drug Deliv. 2010 , 7 , 429−444..

[Talevi, A.; M.E. Ruiz Korsmeyer-peppas, peppas-sahlin, and brazel-peppas: models of drug release , The ADME encyclopedia: a comprehensive guide on biopharmacy and pharmacokinetics. Ist Edition, Springer Nature, Switzerland 2022 , 613−621..

Ma, Y.; Li, J.; Yang, Q.; Li, F.; Wang, L.; Yan, P.; Guo, X.; Zhao, R.; Gu, Y.; Xu, Y.; Wu, X. Redox-responsive nanopesticides based on natural polymers for environmentally safe delivery of pesticides with enhanced foliar dispersion and washout resistance. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2024 , 72 , 20343−20353..

Thakur, M.; Choudhary, S.; Kumar, K.; Kumar R.; S.; Sharma, D. Ecofriendly management of Pieris brassicae in Brassica oleracea: a review. Biol. Bull. Rev. 2023 , 13 , 691−702..

Ahmad, H.; Shankar, U.; Monobrullah, M.; Kaul, V.; Singh, S. Bionomics of cabbage butterfly, Pieris brassicae (Linn.) on cabbage. Ann. Plant Prot. Sci. 2007 , 15 , 47−52..

[Stephan, C.E. Methods for calculating an LC 50, in Aquatic toxicology and hazard evaluation. Aquatic Toxicilogy and Hazard Evaluation, ASTM Internationa l, USA 1977 , 65−84..

Shen, Y.; Wang, Y.; Zhao, X.; Sun, C.; Cui, B.; Gao, F.; Zeng, Z.; Cui, H. Preparation and physicochemical characteristics of thermo-responsive emamectin benzoatemicrocapsules. Polymers 2017 , 9 , 418..

Wu, W.; Wan, M.; Fei, Q.; Tian, Y.; Song, S.; Shen, H.; Shen, J. PDA@ Ti3C2Tx as a novel carrier for pesticide delivery and its application in plant protection: NIR-responsive controlled release and sustained antipest activity. Pest Manage. Sci. 2021 , 77 , 4960−4970..

Yu, Y.; Song, F.; Yang, M.; Tian, S.; Ji, X.; Yu, X.; Liu, J.; Zhu, F.; Li, Y. Dual-stimuli-responsive silica-based emamectin benzoate nanodelivery system for effective control of Spodoptera frugiperda and safety assessment toward Microplitis manilae. Chem. Eng. J. 2024 , 497 , 154998..

Wu, T.; Fang, X.; Yang, Y.; Meng, W.; Yao, P.; Liu, Q.; Zhang, B.; Liu, F.; Zou, A.; Cheng, J. Eco-friendly water-based λ-cyhalothrin polydopamine microcapsule suspension with high adhesion on leaf for reducing pesticides loss. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2020 , 68 , 12549−12557..

Chen, L.; Zhang, W.; Du, H.; Ding, X.; Li, L.; Chen, H.; Gao, F.; Cui, B.; Gao, J.; Cui, H.; Yao, Y. Enhancing safety through the biodegradable pesticide microcapsules produced via melt emulsification and interfacial polymerization. Chem. Eng. J. 2024 , 483 , 149407..

Dong, Y.J.; Guo S.N.; Lu, J.; Wang, D.; Le, Y.; Wang J.X. Copper ion-chelated and polydopamine-modified hydroxypropyl methylcellulose nanoparticles with multiple responses for intelligent pesticide release and improved foliar deposition. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2024 , 16 , 69908−69918..

浏览量

Downloads

CSCD

文章被引用时，请邮件提醒。

Submit

工具集

关联资源

Multifunctional Property Enhancement of 2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic Acid/Acrylic Acid Hydrogels with Dual-ionic Liquid Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

Polydopamine-modified Collagen Sponge for Improved Anti-inflammatory and Tissue Repair

Organic-Inorganic Hydrogel Strain Sensors Based on Methacryloyl Ethoxy Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride and Bentonite

Sunlight-induced Permanent Hair Dyeing

Alternating Poly(ether-alt-ester)s with High Glass Transition Temperature Enabled by Rotationally Constrained Biaryl Units

pH-Responsive L-Cysteine-conjugated Polydopamine Nanocarriers for Controlled Release of Emamectin Benzoate against Pieris brassicae

pH-Responsive L-Cysteine-conjugated Polydopamine Nanocarriers for Controlled Release of Emamectin Benzoate against Pieris brassicae

DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3699-1

摘要

Abstract

关键词

Keywords

references