Encapsulation of Thiabendazole in Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin Nanofibers via Polymer‐free Electrospinning and its characterization

BACKGROUND: Thiabendazole (TBZ) is a poorly water-soluble benzimidazole fungicide. However, the water solubility of TBZ can be significantly enhanced by inclusion complexation with cyclodextrins. In this study, a thiabendazole/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (TBZ/HPβCD) complex was synthesized and the electrospinning was performed to produce a TBZ/HPβCD nanofibrous (TBZ/HPβCD-NF) that improved the water solubility and its antifungal activity. RESULTS: The formation of TBZ/HPβCD-NF was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance. The morphology of TBZ/HPβCD-NF was studied by scanning electron microscopy. A phase solubility experiment showed that HPβCD exerted a great solubilization effect on TBZ, and TBZ/HPβCD-NF had better antifungal activity compared to that of TBZ alone. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the solid fungicidal nanodispersion prepared in the present study is a new type of formulation that can enhance the water solubility of TBZ. This formulation, which demonstrated potential as a new fast dissolving formulation type with increased efficacy, is expected to be conducive to the sustainable development of agriculture.