Development of Poly(ethylene glycol) Based Amphiphilic Copolymers for Controlled Release Delivery of Carbofuran

Abstract

The formation of micelles in a solvent that is selective for one of the blocks is one of the most important and useful properties of block copolymers. We had synthesized copolymers of polyethylene glycol and various dimethyl esters, which self assemble into nano micellar aggregates in aqueous media. In the present work, we have utilized these nano micelles for the encapsulation of carbofuran, [2,3–dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate], a systemic insecticide-nematicide, for the development of controlled release formulation.

Keywords:

• Diester copolymers
• self assembly
• controlled release
• carbofuran

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Head, Division of Agricultural Chemicals, IARI, New Delhi for providing facilities to carry out the research work. MKS and AP thank the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, for financial support.