Controlled release of tebuconazole from a polymer matrix microparticle: release kinetics and length of efficacy.

Preparation and characterization of microencapsulated tebuconazole, its release kinetics in water, and the bioefficacy of these formulations in controlling wheat rust in spring wheat is described herein. Controlled-release (CR) formulations based on matrix microparticles were prepared by the oil-in-water emulsion process. Polymer-based matrix was prepared from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (PSMA). Modification of the matrix was achieved by the use of different low molecular weight or polymeric additives. These additives were found to lower the glass transition temperature of the matrix and enhance the release rate of tebuconazole in water, under infinite sink conditions. Release of tebuconazole from matrix microparticles was found to be diffusion controlled. CR formulations were found to be very efficacious in controlling wheat rust. Soil-applied CR formulations prepared from a PMMA or PSMA matrix, modified with poly(vinyl acetate), were as effective in controlling wheat rust (Puccinia recondita) as foliar-applied tebuconazole, Raxil, from Bayer AG. Results suggest that CR formulations with a systemic fungicide, such as tebuconazole, applied as either a soil or seed treatment, may provide control of foliar diseases, possibly eliminating or reducing the need for traditional foliar applications.

Biosynthesis and properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) polymers.

In support of programs to identify polyhydroxyalkanoates with improved materials properties, we report on our efforts to characterize the mechanical and thermal properties of copolyesters of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx). The copolyesters, having molar fraction of 3HHx ranging from 2.5 to 35 mol % and average molecular weights ranging from 1.15 x 10(5) to 6.65 x 10(5), were produced by fermentation using Aeromonas hydrophila and a recombinant strain of Pseudomonas putida GPp104. The polymers were chloroform extracted and characterized by solution-state and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and a variety of mechanical and thermal tests. Solution-state (1)H NMR data were used to determine polymer composition-of-matter, while solution-state (13)C NMR data provided polymer-sequence information. Solvent fractionation and NMR spectroscopic characterization of these polymers showed that polymers containing up to 9.5 mol % 3HHx had a Bernoullian compositional distribution. By contrast, polymers containing more than 9.5 mol % 3HHx had a bimodal polymer composition. Solvent fractionation of these 3HHx-rich polyesters produced two polymer fractions, each of which was again consistent with Bernoullian polymerization statistics. Solid-state NMR relaxation experiments provided insight into aging in poly(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymers, demonstrating increased polymer-chain motion with increasing 3HHx content. The elongation-to-break ratio in the polyesters increased with increasing molar fraction of 3HHx monomers. Aging properties of the poly(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymers were very similar to copolymers of 3HB and 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV). However, poly(3HB-co-3HHx) exhibited increased activation energy to thermal degradation with increasing 3HHx content.