N-hexanoyl-O-glycol chitosan as a carrier agent for water-insoluble herbicide

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the potential of an amphiphilic chitosan derivative, namely N-hexanoyl-O-glycol chitosan (HGC) as a carrier agent for herbicide atrazine. The physicochemical properties of HGC were characterised using several analytical instruments. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of HGC was determined using a Fluorescence Spectrometer. A High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of atrazine in the amphiphilic chitosan derivative. Research findings found that the addition of hexanoyl and glycol groups to the chitosan backbone has improved the thermal stability of chitosan. TEM observation confirmed that HGC can form self-aggregation in the solution with spherical shape. The CMC values determined for HGC was 0.008 mg/mL. HGC also exhibited excellent encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity. The release profiles of atrazine loaded in HGC showed that it has different release behaviour than the pure herbicide in solution. In conclusion, the results from the study suggest that the amphiphilic chitosan derivative is applicable to be utilised as carrier agent for herbicide atrazine in pesticide formulation.