Release-controlled microcapsules of thiamethoxam encapsulated in beeswax and their application in field.

Using beeswax as wrapping matrix, two types of release-controlled TM (thiamethoxam)/BK(beeswax-kaolin) microcapsules were prepared by adsorbing TM on kaolin and then encapsulated with beeswax, or directly wrapping TM with beeswax. The structure and morphology of the TM/BK microcapsules were characterized. The effects of different preparation methods, the particle size, pH conditions and different additives on the release property of the TM/BK microcapsules were investigated in water and soil column to compare the advantages of the two approaches. Finally, the insecticidal effect of the TM/BK microcapsules against sugarcane borer and rice planthopper was tested. The results show that the TM/BK microcapsules have a better sustained-release in both water and soil, and the release rate is different under different pH conditions. In addition, the releasing time of the TM/BK microcapsules can be modified by different preparation methods and combination of different additives. In the field applications, the insecticidal activity of the TM/BK microcapsules was better than that of non-sustained control group. Especially in the rice field test, 45 days after the application, the control group lost the activity against rice planthopper because of drug loss, whereas the TM/BK microcapsule group still retained about 90% of the insecticidal activity. The results suggest that the microcapsules have better agricultural application for insect control.

Conformation and activity alteration of horseradish peroxidase induced by the interaction with gene carrier polyethyleneimines.

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) has long been considered as "golden standard" for polymeric gene delivery carriers. However the molecular basis of the cytotoxicity of PEI is poorly understood. Little is known about the effects of PEI on the structure and functions of biomacromolecules. In this work, fluorescence, UV-vis absorption, circular dichroism spectroscopy were conducted to investigate the influence of PEI of average molecular weight 25, 10 and 1.8kDa (denoted as PEI25k, PEI10k and PEI1.8k) on the conformation of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and its catalytic efficiency. Zeta-potential measurement and isothermal titration calorimetry were used to reveal the mechanism of the interaction between PEIs and HRP. PEIs were found to bind onto the surface of HRP predominantly via hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bond or van der Waals interaction. The complex formation between HRP and PEI induced a more compact conformation of the enzyme and an increased hydrophobicity of the microenvironment surrounding heme pocket. The conformational change of HRP had little impact on the affinity towards H2O2 and phenol. However, the increase in the non-planarity of porphyrin ring in the heme group led to an increase in the exposure degree of the active center and thus an enhancement of catalytic efficiency of HRP in the presence of high molecular weight PEIs (PEI25k and PEI10k). The polymer size played an important role in PEI-HRP interaction. PEI of low molecular weight (PEI1.8k) was less efficient to alter the conformation and catalytic activity of HRP in aqueous solutions.