Create microcapsules with cinnamon and clove oils as pesticides against fungi.

A group of Spanish and Czech researchers has obtained microcapsula laboratory scale with Essential Tomillo oils, cinnamon, oregano and nail that could be used as pesticides in the fight against the fungus ‘Asperguillus niger’, which causes black spots on some plants, fruits and vegetables.

Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and from the University of Life Sciences Prague of the Czech Republic, They have proven the antifungal power of different components of essential oils incorporated in mesoporous silica microcapsules.

UPV sources indicate that the conclusions of this study, which has been published in the Journal of the Sciencie of Food and Agriculture, They suggest greater potential and applicability of these oils as natural preservatives.

El ‘Aspergillus niger’ It is a fungus that causes the appearance of a black spot in ornamental plants, fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, manises, UVA or onions.

According to the researcher at the UPV Molecular Recognition Center, Andrea Bernardos, In the latter case, the fungus can cause damage to the stage after harvesting, so, If these microcapsules were applied before collection, “We could deal with this pathology and thus favor a higher crop yield”.

As Spanish and Czech researchers stand out in their study, The main components of essential oils are known for their antifungal properties, However, The high volatility of them limits their application as antimicrobial agents.

To control such volatility, They have analyzed the potential of encapsulation or loaded into porous materials, with some “satisfactory results”.

“These microcapsules could be applied directly to the cultivation fields, using it as biopesticides in the growth of fruits and vegetables. There would be a direct contact between fungus and microparticle on the ground, which would allow acting in a more effective way against him”, Bernardos has highlighted.

At work, The researchers evaluated the in vitro antifungal activity of Carvacrol (Main component of oregano), cinamaldehído (cinnamon), timol (thyme) y eugenol (nail) Against the fungus, When loading them on the support (microcápsula) MCM-41 Mesoporous Silica and in B-Ciclodextrin.

According to the tests performed, The best antifungal properties showed were Carvacrol and Timol in the MCM-41 mesoporous silica material, compared to the pure compound of essential oil or with those encapsulated in cyclodextrinas.

“In fact, Carvacrol and Timol are able to maintain antifungal activity and inhibit fungus growth for a month, which suggests its greatest potential as natural preservatives”, Bernardos added.

The researcher explained that they are “In conversations” With an English company that would be interested in marketing microcapsules, although he also pointed out that they are “making modifications” Because they shuffle the possibility of patenting them.

Regarding economic benefits, He pointed out that, In a parallel study conducted by the University of Prague, it has been found that “The encapsulated compound is four times higher than pure”, so, Although silicon is more expensive than other options, Microcapsules is a considerable economic benefit.