Bentonite-based nanoclays for the vehiculization of phytohormones, aminoacids and polisacharides: promising biomaterials for agricultural applications

YAMILA MANSILLA; COLMAN, SILVANA LORENA; MARÍA JOSÉ IGLESIAS; MERARI CHEVALIER; DANILA MERINO; MELINA BRACONE; CLAUDIA CASALONGUÉ; VERA A. ALVAREZ

Sorocaba

Workshop; III Workshop de Nanotecnologia Ambiental; 2018

Agriculture face a growing world demand for food in combination with a reduction of fertile area due to climate changes and accumulation of pesticides and fertilizers. In this context, the development of new bioactive materials with emerging properties fits with the actual challenge of augmenting crop productivity with reduced environment impact. Bentonite (Bent) is one of the most commonly used clays because of its easyindustrial scaling, and low toxicity which allows its use in food and agriculture. Bent is considered nanoclay with high cation exchange capacity, large surface area and porosity. Consequently, it has the possibility of lodging multiple organic cations between its sheets. The aim of our project is the production and characterization of bent-based nanocomposites for the vehiculization and controled delivery of biological compounds with potencial impacts on plant phisiology. Bent were selected as matrices to immobilize the phytohormonesalicilic acid (SA), a master regulator of plant defense programs against biotic and abiotic stress; the multifunctional aminoacid proline as an antioxidant and osmoprotector against draught and salt stresses; and chitosan (CS) polysaccharides which improve defense responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.