Busan National University Professor Park Seon-ho's Team Develops Nano Pesticide Adjuvant

Busan National University-Jeonnam National University Joint Research Enhances Plant Growth Promotion, Insecticidal and Herbicidal Effects

Selected as Cover Paper in International Journal 'Small'... Expected Sustainable Agricultural Technology

Nanoparticles made of gelatin have been developed to aid plant growth and enhance pesticide efficiency.

Busan National University (President Choi Jae-won) announced that Professor Park Sun-ho’s team from the Department of Bio-Industrial Machinery Engineering, in collaboration with a research team from Chonnam National University, has developed a new natural protein-based platform that promotes plant growth and improves pesticide functionality.

Professor Park Sun-ho (left) and Professor Kim Jang-ho. Provided by Pusan National University

The newly developed pesticide adjuvant is a gelatin-based nanoparticle that can aid plant growth when used alone and can release pesticides in a sustained-release manner. This technology is expected to contribute to sustainable agricultural environments by improving crop yield and quality, reducing pesticide usage, protecting the environment, and lowering costs across various crops.

The joint paper by Busan National University and Chonnam National University showcasing these research results was featured on the cover of the top-tier nanotechnology journal Small on October 17.

Gelatin is primarily produced by processing collagen extracted from pig and cow skin or cartilage, and it is used in the manufacture of foods such as jelly and pudding, cosmetics, medical, and health products. Due to its high biocompatibility and ability to carry and release drugs, the research team utilized it as an advanced nano pesticide adjuvant.

The gelatin nanoparticles developed in this study are approximately 150 nm in size, carry a positive charge on their surface, and can carry and gradually release drugs for about two weeks.

Thanks to their small size and positive charge, the particles adhered well to the typically negatively charged surfaces of plant leaves, regardless of whether the leaf surface was hydrophobic (water-repellent) or hydrophilic.

The advanced nano pesticide formulation combining these gelatin nanoparticles with pesticides demonstrated about 15% superior insecticidal effects and approximately 20% better herbicidal effects compared to conventional pesticides.

Beyond laboratory conditions, the herbicidal effect was significantly enhanced in actual agricultural fields. When sprayed using a sprayer, the formulation dispersed farther and more evenly over a wide area, remained longer in the air, and reached various parts of crops such as leaves and stems, thereby increasing pest control effectiveness.

Professor Park Sun-ho of Busan National University stated, “This research shows the potential to overcome various challenges in conventional agriculture by integrating nanobiotechnology. Gelatin nanoparticles have great potential for sustainable agriculture, particularly in enhancing pesticide functions while promoting plant growth as fertilizers. We will continue to strive for diverse research to develop practical technologies applicable in the field.”

This research was conducted jointly by Professor Park Sun-ho of the Department of Bio-Industrial Machinery Engineering at Busan National University as the first author, along with the research team of Professors Kim Jang-ho, Son Hyung-il, and Lee Kyung-hwan from the Department of Convergence Bio-System Machinery Engineering at Chonnam National University. It was supported by the BK21 Phase 4 IT-Bio Convergence System Agriculture Education and Research Group, the Agricultural Food Science and Technology Convergence Research Personnel Training Project, the Green Bio Innovation Convergence University Project, the Mid-Career Research Support Project, the Regional Innovation Leading Research Center, and the Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Innovation Platform Project.

Cover of the academic journal in the field of nanotechnology, Small. Provided by Pusan National University