Development of calcium alginate –gelatin based microspheres for controlled release of endosulfan as a model pesticide

Abstract

In the present study controlled release formulations have been developed by encapsulating endosulfan for reducing environmental impact of pesticides within the macromolecular network of calcium alginate and gelatin based microspheres. Various alginate and gelatin based compositions were prepared by crosslinking sodium alginate with calcium ions in the presence of gelatin. The effects of preparation conditions of beads such as varying concentrations of crosslinker, endosulfan, alginate to gelatin ratio and temperature were investigated on the release profiles of endosulfan. The obtained release data were analyzed in accordance with Ficks power law and kinetic parameters of the release process were calculated. The results obtained demonstrate that one can significantly and desirably control the rate of pesticide release by suitably modifying and adjusting the experimental protocol. The soil- pot experiments were also performed to predict the kind of mechanisms the endosulfan may follow while being released in the agricultural fields.