Microencapsulation of lambda-cyhalothrin with polyurethane-urea and application on peppermint plant leaves containing a two-spotted red spider mite (tetranychus urticae)

Abstract

In this study, lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) used as a pesticide was microencapsulated with polyurethaneurea (PUU) at 55°C temperature for 180 min. Wall thickness and dimensions of the microcapsules, the effect of mixing speed on the capsule size, active substance release times of LC-PUU microencapsules under UV rays and alcohol/water medium, microencapsulation yields and the effect of microencapsulated active substance on the red spider on peppermint plant leaves (mentha piperita) were investigated. The microcapsule yield was found 77.4–85.5%, also capsule shell thickness was 512.3–724.5 nm. The highest release percentage of the microcapsules was found to be 35.00% at 20°C for 4 h under UV light. When the LC-PUU microcapsules applied to the peppermint plant leaves (mentha piperita) which contained a two-spotted red spider mites (tetranychus urticae), it remained active for 8 weeks and during this period no insect formation was observed on the peppermint leaves.