Gelatin Beads/Hemp Hurd as pH Sensitive Devices for Delivery of Eugenol as Green Pesticide

Abstract In this paper gelatin beads reinforced with natural hemp hurd have been produced as pH sensitive devices for the release of eugenol, green pesticide. The composites beads, a mean diameter about 1 mm, were obtained by polymer droplet gelation in sunflower oil. Thermal properties evaluated showing no noticeable difference after introduction hurd. Barrier demonstrated an improvement hydrophobization. 5% w/w led to reduction sorption coefficient 85% compared unloaded beads. Besides, diffusion decreased, introducing hurd, from 8.91 × 10 −7 0.77 cm 2 /s. Swelling and dissolution phenomena studied function pH. swelling raised increased up 2.3 g/g, 9.1 g/g 27.33 at 3, 7 12, respectively. rate changed 0.034 3 0.077 h −1 12. Release kinetics eugenol different conditions studied. released 24 is 98%, 91%, 81 63% (pH 3), 87%, 62%, 37 32 wt% 7) 81%, 68%, 60 52 12) 1%, behavior was be highly medium, which allows tune such pesticide systems soils level acidity/basicity.