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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Bioproducts Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #191243
Title: CONTROLLED RELEASE OF VOLATILE LIQUIDS USING STARCH GEL MATRICES AND FILMS

Author
item Glenn, Gregory - Greg
item Klamczynski, Artur
item Shey, Justin
item Chiou, Bor-Sen
item Holtman, Kevin
item DeGrandi-Hoffman, Gloria
item Wood, Delilah - De

Submitted to: Polymer International
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2007
Publication Date: 4/4/2007
Citation: Glenn, G.M., Klamczynski, A., Shey, J., Chiou, B., Holtman, K.M., Hoffman, G.D., Wood, D.F. 2007. Controlled release of volatile liquids using starch gel matrices and films. Polymers for advanced technologies. 18 (8): 636:642. (2007)

Interpretive Summary: The controlled release of volatile, agrochemicals is critical in developing approaches to pest control that are economically viable and environmentally sound. Dispensing systems that are made of materials that degrade in agricultural environments when they are spent offer distinct advantages over non-degrading systems that must be collected from the field when their functional life is over. The present study describes the use of starch gels and foams along with biobased films and coatings to control the release of a volatile liquid, 2-heptanone, which has miticidal properties.

Technical Abstract: Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite that is threatening the honeybee industry in many parts of the world. 2-Heptanone, a natural product made in the mandibular glands of bees, is effective in controlling mite populations in honeybee colonies, especially when released over a 40 day period. A starch gel containing three times its weight in 2-heptanone was prepared from starch-based microcellular foam (MCF). The gel had compressive, tensile and flexural strength values in the range of 0.56 to 1.9 MPa. 2-Heptanone quickly evaporated from non-laminated gels. However, when the gel was laminated with different polymeric films, a wide range in the release rates was achieved. The most promising film was a starch/glycerol film that released 50% of the 2-heptanone (T50) in approximately 16 days. Starch films had the added advantage that other carbohydrate feeding attractants that are also inherently degradable could be easily blended into the film.