Ros-responsive botanical pesticide prodrug nano-pesticides

Overview

This technology offers a new class of intelligent nano-pesticides designed to release botanical active ingredients selectively at sites of pest or pathogen attack. The core innovation is the use of amphiphilic small-molecule or polymeric prodrugs built from low-toxicity plant-derived pesticides (cinnamaldehyde, pyrethrin, rotenone, and related aldehyde- or ketone-bearing compounds) linked through thioacetal or thioketal bonds. These bonds are cleaved by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are abundant in plants, bacteria, and insect pests. When the nano-pesticide encounters elevated ROS levels, the active ingredient is released precisely where it is needed. The same nanoparticle platform can also encapsulate conventional pesticides such as avermectin or nicotine, enabling synergistic combination products with multifunctional, ROS-responsive behavior.

Technical specifications

• Prodrug design: Amphiphilic small-molecule and polymeric prodrugs synthesized from botanical pesticides containing aldehyde or ketone groups, connected via ROS-cleavable thioacetal or thioketal linkages.
• Self-assembly: Prodrugs self-assemble into nanoparticles of approximately 100 nm in diameter without requiring additional surfactants.
• Triggered release: Thioacetal and thioketal bonds undergo selective cleavage in the presence of ROS, enabling on-demand release of the active ingredient.
• Self-amplifying action: Released active ingredients can promote further ROS accumulation, accelerating additional payload release and enhancing efficacy.
• Combination capability: The nanoparticles function as carriers for co-loaded pesticides (e.g., avermectin, nicotine), supporting synergistic and multifunctional formulations.
• Validated performance: A cinnamaldehyde thioacetal copolymer prodrug has demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus and promoted wound healing in a rat infection model.

Technology readiness level

The platform is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Proof-of-concept has been established for a cinnamaldehyde-based amphiphilic copolymer prodrug with demonstrated antibacterial efficacy in vitro and in an animal wound model. Planned next steps include expanding the prodrug library to additional botanical actives, evaluating nano-pesticide stability, biocompatibility, and toxicity profiles, and validating insecticidal performance against Ustilaginoidea virens (rice false smut) and diamondback moth larvae. The technology is ready for collaborative research, sponsored development, and pilot-scale validation toward agricultural and antimicrobial applications.