Nano-enabled foliar delivery system for in planta production of natural insecticidal compounds

Overview

This technology leverages nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) rods as biocompatible nanocarriers to deliver molecular cargo directly to plant cells through foliar (leaf-surface) application. The system enables plants to transiently produce their own pest-control compounds, such as cinnamaldehyde, offering a non-toxic alternative to conventional insecticides and fungicides. By using nanoparticles composed of naturally occurring calcium and phosphate minerals, this approach provides an environmentally friendly delivery platform for next-generation crop protection.

Technical specifications

Core technology features:

• Nanohydroxyapatite rods averaging 10 nm in diameter, sized to penetrate plant cell walls (less than 20 nm exclusion limit) and stomata (less than 100 nm exclusion limit)
• Biodegradable and biocompatible composition matching minerals naturally found in mammalian bone, teeth, and plant trichomes
• Electrostatic conjugation with plasmid DNA enables loading of molecular cargo onto nanoparticle surfaces
• Partial nuclease protection shields genetic material from enzymatic degradation during delivery
• Versatile cargo delivery validated across multiple plant species using reporter genes such as beta-glucuronidase and green fluorescent protein
• Cinnamaldehyde biosynthesis pathway targets three key enzymes (PAL, 4CL, and CCR) to produce natural insecticidal and fungicidal compounds within plant tissue
• Chitosan coating optimization with trimethyl chitosan enhances foliar delivery performance

Target applications:

• Transient expression of plant-incorporated protectants in major crops including canola, soybean, and wheat
• Natural control of agricultural pests such as thrips with minimal toxicity to beneficial insects
• Potential antibacterial and pharmacological applications beyond crop protection

Technology readiness level

The nanohydroxyapatite delivery platform has been validated in laboratory studies demonstrating successful conjugation with plasmids, partial protection of genetic cargo from nucleases, and confirmed in planta delivery across multiple plant species. Future validation efforts will focus on optimizing plasmid-nHA conjugates with trimethyl chitosan coatings, confirming nuclear delivery of tagged plasmids, transiently expressing cinnamaldehyde biosynthesis genes in canola, soybean, and wheat, and conducting effectiveness trials against thrips and other pests. The technology is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development, with demonstrated proof-of-concept delivery but requiring additional optimization and field validation before commercial deployment.