Translating controlled release systems from biomedicine to agriculture

Abstract

Sustainable food production is a grand challenge facing the global economy. Traditional agricultural practice requires numerous interventions, such as application of nutrients and pesticides, of which only a fraction are utilized by the target crop plants. Controlled release systems (CRSs) designed for agriculture could improve targeting of agrochemicals, reducing costs and improving environmental sustainability. CRSs have been extensively used in biomedical applications to generate spatiotemporal release patterns of targeted compounds. Such systems protect encapsulant molecules from the external environment and off-target uptake, increasing their biodistribution and pharmacokinetic profiles. Advanced ‘smart’ release designs enable on-demand release in response to environmental cues, and theranostic systems combine sensing and release for real-time monitoring of therapeutic interventions. This review examines the history of biomedical CRSs, highlighting opportunities to translate biomedical designs to agricultural applications. Common encapsulants and targets of agricultural CRSs are discussed, as well as additional demands of these systems, such as need for high volume, low cost, environmentally friendly materials and manufacturing processes. Existing agricultural CRSs are reviewed, and opportunities in emerging systems, such as nanoparticle, ‘smart’ release, and theranostic formulations are highlighted. This review is designed to provide a guide to researchers in the biomedical controlled release field for translating their knowledge to agricultural applications, and to provide a brief introduction of biomedical CRSs to experts in soil ecology, microbiology, horticulture, and crop sciences.

Incorporation of Controlled Release Systems Improves the Functionality of Biodegradable 3D Printed Cardiovascular Implants

“…92,93 In a smart release system, the implant is stimuli-responsive and releases the drug molecule upon a specific stimulation such as temperature. 97,98 Most of the controlled release systems are based on coatings, hydrogels, and carriers such as microparticles and nanoparticles.…”

“…In a physical approach, a monolithic or multilayer coating formulation releases the drug by diffusion, degradation of the polymer, or the combination thereof. The chemical approach is based on a covalent bonding of the drug on the surface, and the release mechanism is facilitated by a chemical or enzymatic degradation breaking the bonds. , In a smart release system, the implant is stimuli-responsive and releases the drug molecule upon a specific stimulation such as temperature. , Most of the controlled release systems are based on coatings, hydrogels, and carriers such as microparticles and nanoparticles.…”

Effects of pH and Crosslinking Agent in the Evaluation of Hydrogels as Potential Nitrate-Controlled Release Systems

“…Therefore, there are significant opportunities for CRSs in agriculture to manage delivery of nutrients, such as nitrogen fertilizers, allowing a better targeting of the agrochemical, reducing costs, and improving environmental sustainability [13], this technology becoming a good alternative to traditional fertilization.…”

Encapsulation of Carbon Dots in a Core–Shell Mesh through Coaxial Direct Ink Writing for Improved Crop Growth

“…Electrospinning, so far, has been a straightforward, room-temperature method to envelope fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides in this form. , Nevertheless, electrospinning also utilizes excessive amounts of organic solvents, and the fabrication of fibers with proper mechanical strength is still challenging due to the limitation of the fiber diameter that can be produced via this method. The micron-sized fibers can only encapsulate a scarce amount of material; therefore, the reports on the applications of electrospun fibers in agriculture only cover short-term release studies (e.g., hours to a couple of days). , …”

“…The micron-sized fibers can only encapsulate a scarce amount of material; therefore, the reports on the applications of electrospun fibers in agriculture only cover short-term release studies (e.g., hours to a couple of days). 28 , 29 …”