LIGNIN-CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES FOR SMART DELIVERY OF LYTIC ENZYMES IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

• Grant number: 24/04804-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Cristiane Sanchez Farinas
• Grantee: Jessica de Souza Marciano
• Host Institution: Embrapa Instrumentação Agropecuária. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA). Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Brasil). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Several fungi and bacteria have been employed in agriculture as biocontrol agents, and the success of this application is linked to the production of antibiotics and secondary metabolites, such as lytic enzymes (²-glucanases, mannanases, proteases, and chitinases), responsible for degrading the cell wall of phytopathogens. The use of these enzymes in bio-input formulations for agriculture emerges as a potential alternative to chemical pesticides that have been used for decades to mitigate damage caused by pests and diseases in plants. However, due to the sensitivity of these enzymes to denaturing conditions, such as temperature variations, pH, and solvents, their field application represents a challenge. Enzymatic immobilization emerges as a strategy to overcome these limitations, allowing for stability and efficiency. In this context, this doctoral project proposes an innovation challenge to investigate the immobilization of lytic enzymes with the aim of providing protection and enabling controlled and efficient delivery in the biological control of fungal pathogens. Therefore, throughout the research, the effects of temperature and pH on the activity and stability of commercially available enzymes, as well as their antagonistic activity against pathogenic fungi, will be investigated. The goal is to obtain formulations and ideal application conditions, as well as to confer stabilization against extreme pH conditions, solvents, temperature, and UV protection of these enzymes in combating pathogens in the agricultural environment. To provide protection and responsive delivery of enzymes, the synthesis of nanolignin/chitosan carriers will be performed, evaluating the formation process and their physicochemical characteristics. Additionally, performance regarding functional properties, such as activity and stability of immobilized enzymes, release kinetics, potential as a bio-stimulant, and the ability to inhibit fungal growth in vitro and in vivo, will be studied.