Use of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with biologically active substances for pre-harvest plant protection from pathogens (a review)

Abstract

Chitosan is a biopolymer that readily forms nanoparticles, with or without additional biologically active substances loaded into them. Chitosan nanoparticles can include hydrophobic or hydrophilic compounds, metal ions, compounds poorly soluble in water, etc. Chitosan is biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic to plants, humans and animals. It also stimulates plant immunity and enhances crop yields. Because of that properties, there are some works about chitosan nanoparticles loaded with biologically active substances for plant protection. The major advantages of these nanoparticles are: good solubility in water, large surface for interaction with the pathogen, possibility of gradual release of active substances, protection of active substances from damage, easy entrance of the nanoparticles into plant cells. In this review current research works about use of chitosan nanoparticles that are loaded with active substances for pre-harvest plant protection are summarized.