Research progress of polyhydroxyalkylates as pesticide carriers

Functional materials and advanced technologies can be used for the optimization of pesticide formulation. It will improve the deposition of pesticide on the target crop leaves, the dose transfer efficiency and the regulation of the pesticide release, which provide a vital strategy to improve the efficiency and safety. Polyhydroxyalkanates (PHAs) are a family of natural macromolecular biomaterial synthesized by microorganisms, which have the characteristics of good biocompatibility, biodegradability and thermal-processing properties. PHAs are widely used in the fields of medicine, industry and agriculture, and have become one of the most active research hotspots in the aspect of biomaterials. As PHAs are microorganism-degradable in soil, they are suitable for the application in agriculture, especially for the encapsulation and controlled release of pesticides. This review has summarized the research progress of PHAs as pesticide carriers, including insecticides, fungicides and herbicides. The preparation method, morphological characterization, slow release performance, biological activity and the effect on soil microbial community have be reviewed. The existing problems and future research direction of PHAs as pesticide carriers were pointed out, and the application prospect was also analyzed.