Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A natural post-emergence herbicide based on essential oil encapsulation by cross-linked biopolymers: characterization and herbicidal activity

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This work describes efforts to encapsulate savory (Satureja hortensis L.) essential oil (EO) with different natural polymers (i.e., Arabic gum/gelatin (AGG), apple pectin (AP), gelatin (G)) and, as a separate set of experiments, with bio cross-linkers (i.e., citric acid and transglutaminase enzyme). The phytotoxic activity of encapsulated savory EO on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and amaranth weed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) was investigated. The micro-capsules were evaluated in terms of size, polydispersity, stability, encapsulation efficiency, morphology, and release properties. The Korsmeyer–Peppas model operated when EO was being released from the micro-capsules. Carvacrol (52.5%) and γ-terpinene (30.2%) comprised the main constituents of the savory EO. Based on the results, encapsulating the EO with cross-linked biopolymers increased the stability and herbicidal activity of EO, as compared to simple EO emulsions. Maximum toxicity injuries (MTI) were caused by encapsulations of apple pectin, cross-linked with APe enzyme (15 ml/L) on both plant species. MTI were observed 2 days after using the micro-encapsulated herbicides (MCHs). However, the injury caused by MCHs on tomato was not significant. The lowest values of fresh weight (2.80 g), chlorophyll a (0.194 mg/g Fw), and total chlorophyll content (0.219 mg/g Fw) of amaranth occurred in response to APe (15 ml/L). Moreover, using AP(e) (10 ml/L) caused the lowest values of starch (0.444 mg/g Fw) and flavonoid contents (4.18 mg Cat/g Fw) in amaranth which measured as 59% and 90% reductions, respectively, in comparison with the control. The highest values of MDA (0.0109 nmol/g Fw) and H2O2 (0.0432 μmol/g Fw) were observed in amaranth plants treated with AP(e) (10 ml/L). In summary, cross-linked apple pectin can perform well in slow release delivery systems of agrochemicals. It can be recommended for use in the production of commercial, EO-based natural herbicides.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abit MJM, Al-Khatib K, Olson BL, Stahlman PW, Geier PW, Thompson CR, Currie RS, Schlegel AJ, Holman JD, Hudson KA, Shoup DE (2011) Efficacy of postemergence herbicides tankmixes in aryloxyphenoxypropionate-resistant grain sorghum. Crop Prot 30(12):1623–1628

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adams RP (2007) Identification of essential oil components by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, 4th edn. Allured Publishing, Carol Stream

    Google Scholar 

  • Aghbash, B.N., Pouresmaeil, M., Dehghan, G., Nojadeh, M.S., Mobaiyen, H. and Maggi, F., 2020. Chemical composition, antibacterial and radical scavenging activity of essential oils from Satureja macrantha CA Mey. at different growth stages. Foods, 9(4), p.494

  • Alipour M, Saharkhiz MJ, Niakousari M, Damyeh MS (2019) Phytotoxicity of encapsulated essential oil of rosemary on germination and morphophysiological features of amaranth and radish seedlings. Sci Hortic 243:131–139

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alla MN, Younis ME (1995) Herbicide effects on phenolic metabolism in maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) seedling. J Exp Bot 46(11):1731–1736

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnon, D.I., 1949. Copper enzymes in isolated chloroplasts. Polyphenoloxidase in Beta vulgaris. Plant physiology, 24(1), p. 1

  • Azeredo HM, Morrugares-Carmona R, Wellner N, Cross K, Bajka B, Waldron KW (2016) Development of pectin films with pomegranate juice and citric acid. Food Chem 198:101–106

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benelli G, Pavela R, Canale A, Cianfaglione K, Ciaschetti G, Conti F, Nicoletti M, Senthil-Nathan S, Mehlhorn H, Maggi F (2017) Acute larvicidal toxicity of five essential oils (Pinus nigra, Hyssopus officinalis, Satureja montana, Aloysia citrodora and Pelargonium graveolens) against the filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus: synergistic and antagonistic effects. Parasitol Int 66(2):166–171

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benjemaa M, Neves MA, Falleh H, Isoda H, Ksouri R, Nakajima M (2018) Nanoencapsulation of Thymus capitatus essential oil: formulation process, physical stability characterization and antibacterial efficiency monitoring. Ind Crop Prod 113:414–421

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bradford MM (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal Biochem 72(1–2):248–254

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caprioli G, Lupidi G, Maggi F (2019) Comparison of chemical composition and antioxidant activities of two winter savory subspecies (Satureja montana subsp. variegata and Satureja montana subsp. montana) cultivated in Northern Italy. Nat Prod Res 33(21):3143–3147

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen K, Zhang H (2019) Alginate/pectin aerogel microspheres for controlled release of proanthocyanidins. Int J Biol Macromol 136:936–943

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • da Silva Coelho-Moreira J, Maciel GM, Castoldi R, da Silva Mariano S, Inácio FD, Bracht A and Peralta RM, 2013. Involvement of lignin-modifying enzymes in the degradation of herbicides. In Herbicides-Advances in Research IntechOpen pp 165–178

  • de Souza HJB, de Barros Fernandes RV, Borges SV, Felix PHC, Viana LC, Lago AMT, Botrel DA (2018) Utility of blended polymeric formulations containing cellulose nanofibrils for encapsulation and controlled release of sweet orange essential oil. Food Bioprocess Technol 11(6):1188–1198

    Google Scholar 

  • Deng L, Senseman SA, Gentry TJ, Zuberer DA, Weiss TL, Devarenne TP, Camargo ER (2012) Effect of selected herbicides on growth and hydrocarbon content of Botryococcus braunii (Race B). Ind Crop Prod 39:154–161

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fini A, Brunetti C, Di Ferdinando M, Ferrini F, Tattini M (2011) Stress-induced flavonoid biosynthesis and the antioxidant machinery of plants. Plant Signal Behav 6(5):709–711

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grillo R, dos Santos NZP, Maruyama CR, Rosa AH, de Lima R, Fraceto LF (2012) Poly (ɛ-caprolactone) nanocapsules as carrier systems for herbicides: physico-chemical characterization and genotoxicity evaluation. J Hazard Mater 231:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta B, Tummalapalli M, Deopura BL, Alam MS (2014) Preparation and characterization of in-situ crosslinked pectin–gelatin hydrogels. Carbohydr Polym 106:312–318

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hadian J, Ebrahimi SN, Salehi P (2010) Variability of morphological and phytochemical characteristics among Satureja hortensis L. accessions of Iran. Ind Crop Prod 32(1):62–69

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hasani S, Ojagh SM, Ghorbani M (2018) of lemon essential oil in Chitosan-Hicap system. Part 1: study on its physical and structural characteristics. Int J Biol Macromol 115:143–151

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hazrati H, Saharkhiz MJ, Niakousari M, Moein M (2017) Natural herbicide activity of Satureja hortensis L. essential oil nano-emulsion on the seed germination and morphophysiological features of two important weed species. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 142:423–430

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hazrati H, Saharkhiz MJ, Moein M, Khoshghalb H (2018) Phytotoxic effects of several essential oils on two weed species and tomato. Biocatal Agric Biotechnol 13:204–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Herculano ED, de Paula HC, de Figueiredo EA, Dias FG, Pereira VDA (2015) Physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of nanoencapsulated Eucalyptus staigeriana essential oil. LWT-Food Sci Technol 61(2):484–491

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hosseini SF, Zandi M, Rezaei M, Farahmandghavi F (2013) Two-step method for encapsulation of oregano essential oil in chitosan nanoparticles: preparation, characterization and in vitro release study. Carbohydr Polym 95(1):50–56

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hosseinnia M, Khaledabad MA, Almasi H (2017) Optimization of Ziziphora clinopodiodes essential oil microencapsulation by whey protein isolate and pectin: a comparative study. Int J Biol Macromol 101:958–966

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karimi HR, Nasrolahpour-Moghadam S (2016) Male pistachio seedlings exhibit more efficient protective mechanisms than females under salinity stress. Sci Hortic 211:118–125

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khare, P., Srivastava, S., Nigam, N., Singh, A.K. and Singh, S., 2019. Impact of essential oils of E. citriodora, O. basilicum and M. arvensis on three different weeds and soil microbial activities. Environmental technology & innovation, 14, p.100343

  • Kumar P, Mishra S, Malik A, Satya S (2014) Preparation and characterization of PEG-Mentha oil nanoparticles for housefly control. Colloids Surf B: Biointerfaces 116:707–713

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leszczynski W (1986) Differences in the properties of potato starch as an effect of the application of herbicides in potato cultivation. Food Chem 22(1):41–49

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lim AS, Roos YH (2015a) Stability of flocculated particles in concentrated and high hydrophilic solid layer-by-layer (LBL) emulsions formed using whey proteins and gum Arabic. Food Res Int 74:160–167

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lim AS, Roos YH (2015b) Stability of flocculated particles in concentrated and high hydrophilic solid layer-by-layer (LBL) emulsions formed using whey proteins and gum Arabic. Food Res Int 74:160–167

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lv Y, Yang F, Li X, Zhang X, Abbas S (2014) Formation of heat-resistant nanocapsules of jasmine essential oil via gelatin/gum arabic based complex coacervation. Food Hydrocoll 35:305–314

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Madany MM, Saleh AM (2015) Phytotoxicity of Euphorbia helioscopia L. on Triticum aestivum L. and Pisum sativum L. Ann Agric Sci 60(1):141–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Magne C, Saladin G, Clément C (2006) Transient effect of the herbicide flazasulfuron on carbohydrate physiology in Vitis vinifera L. Chemosphere 62(4):650–657

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahdavikia F, Saharkhiz MJ (2015) Phytotoxic activity of essential oil and water extract of peppermint (Mentha× piperita L. CV. Mitcham). J Appl Res Med Aromatic Plants 2(4):146–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahdavikia F, Saharkhiz MJ, Karami A (2017) Defensive response of radish seedlings to the oxidative stress arising from phenolic compounds in the extract of peppermint (Mentha× piperita L.). Sci Hortic 214:133–140

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammadi A, Hashemi M, Hosseini SM (2015) Nanoencapsulation of Zataria multiflora essential oil preparation and characterization with enhanced antifungal activity for controlling Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of gray mould disease. Innovative Food Sci Emerg Technol 28:73–80

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muhoza B, Xia S, Zhang X (2019) Gelatin and high methyl pectin coacervates crosslinked with tannic acid: the characterization, rheological properties, and application for peppermint oil microencapsulation. Food Hydrocoll 97:105174

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ootani MA, dos Reis MR, Cangussu ASR, Capone A, Fidelis RR, Oliveira W, Barros HB, Portella ACF, de Souza Aguiar R, dos Santos WF (2017) Phytotoxic effects of essential oils in controlling weed species Digitaria horizontalis and CeMCHrus echinatus. Biocatal Agric Biotechnol 12:59–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos JP, Esquerdo VM, Moura CM, Pinto LA (2018) Crosslinking agents effect on gelatins from carp and tilapia skins and in their biopolymeric films. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 539:184–191

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taban A, Rahimi MJ, Saharkhiz MJ, Hadian J, Zomorodian K (2013a) The efficacy of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil treatment in reducing Escherichia coli O 157: H 7 load on alfalfa seeds prior to sprouting. J Food Saf 33(2):121–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Taban A, Saharkhiz MJ, Hadian J (2013b) Allelopathic potential of essential oils from four Satureja spp. Biol Agric Hortic 29(4):244–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Taban A, Saharkhiz MJ, Hooshmandi M (2017) Insecticidal and repellent activity of three Satureja species against adult red flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Acta Ecol Sin 37(3):201–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Taban A, Saharkhiz MJ, Khorram M (2020) Formulation and assessment of nano-encapsulated bioherbicides based on biopolymers and essential oil. Ind Crop Prod 149(2020):112348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.112348

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yanniccari M, Istilart C, Giménez DO, Castro AM (2012) Effects of glyphosate on the movement of assimilates of two Lolium perenne L. populations with differential herbicide sensitivity. Environ Exp Bot 82:14–19

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou J, Tong J, Su X, Ren L (2016) Hydrophobic starch nanocrystals preparations through crosslinking modification using citric acid. Int J Biol Macromol 91:1186–1193

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study received financial support from Shiraz University Research and Technology Council as well as Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, 71441-65186, Iran

    Azin Taban & Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz

  2. Medicinal Plants Processing Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz

  3. Department of Crop Production and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

    Ruhollah Naderi

Authors
  1. Azin Taban
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ruhollah Naderi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Giovanni Benelli

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 5834 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Taban, A., Saharkhiz, M.J. & Naderi, R. A natural post-emergence herbicide based on essential oil encapsulation by cross-linked biopolymers: characterization and herbicidal activity. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 45844–45858 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10405-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10405-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation