NanoScoping develops biodegradable natural pesticides with nanotechnology

The startup, NanoScoping, has developed agricultural adjuvants with biodegradable nanoparticles, which are called ″natural pesticides.″ The products are made from vegetable oils, as well as plants such as neem, melaleuca, citronella and oregano. 

According to the researchers involved, the technology has anti-fungal, antibacterial and repellent properties against diseases and pests that affect crops. For example, for tomato cultivation, the product, ″Nano Agro Total,″ reduced the severity of bacterial spot attacks by up to 80% compared to areas that did not receive any treatment.

The products belonging to the Nano Agro line also have spreading, adhesive and emulsifying effects that, due to the presence of nanoencapsulated active compounds of plant origin, enhances results in the field. The production of nanocapsules uses chemical and physical processes to dilute molecules until they reach a size of 200 to 400 nanometers. The amount of product in contact with the environment is, therefore, minimal, and the compounds produced are highly stable and less volatile than conventional formulations.

According to João Alves, Product and Project Analyst at NanoScoping, the aspect that differentiates NanoScoping products from others formulated with essential oils is the nanoencapsulation technology, which achieves two main effects. Firstly, their adhesive spreading effect can improve the adhesion and coverage of the product on plants. Secondly, their emulsifying effect offers greater stability to oils, preventing the separation or sedimentation of components.

Using four encapsulated oils, NanoScoping developed three products. In addition to Nano Agro Total, there is also Nano Agro Neem, an insecticide enhancer, and Nano Agro Crop, a fungicide and bactericide enhancer. The startup's products can be applied independently or in conjunction with other chemical products.

NanoScoping is also working on the possibility of developing different product release triggers. ″For example, if a company has an asset that is incompatible with the Bordeaux mixture, which is a mixture commonly used by organic producers, we can nanostructure and protect this asset so that it is only released when it is in contact with the plant,″ Alves said, noting that triggers can be adapted according to the needs of each client, and some examples are the presence or absence of acids and bases, mechanical stimuli, or responses to the pH of the environment. 

″The technology has been widely adopted by European vegetable producers, mainly due to the growing demand of the domestic consumer market for safer and agrochemical-free foods,″ he said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)

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