Microencapsulation Technology and Essential Oil Pesticides for Food Plant Production

Conventional agriculture is often characterized by heavy use of synthetic pesticides which usually become pollutants, thereby damaging the health of humans and ecosystems. Although pesticides are used to kill a particular target pest, many of them also harm nontargeted species. Essential oil-based pesticides have been used as contact toxicants, fumigants, attractants, or repellents. Because they are relatively nontoxic to vertebrates, they meet the criteria for “reduced risk” pesticides and are a part of sustainable agriculture. To overcome the instability of essential oils and to at least partially mimic the chemical compartmentalization in plants, microencapsulation techniques have been used. Microencapsulation protects sensitive materials that can suffer from degradation and enables its perseverance and controlled and gradual release.