Engineered pectin-coated copper oxide nanocarriers for controlled fungicide release: a mechanistic exploration of fungal pectinase-mediated delivery and its role in advancing sustainable agriculture

Stimuli-responsive agrochemical formulations hold significant promise for advancing the sustainability of modern agriculture. In this study, we developed pectinase-responsive controlled-release fungicide formulations by covalently grafting pectin onto tricyclazole-loaded mesoporous copper oxide nanoparticles. While copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) alone exhibited inherent antifungal activity and performed effectively against Aspergillus niger, a major phytopathogenic fungus, the TCP formulation proved substantially more potent due to the combined action of CuONPs and tricyclazole. Although the mechanism of azole-based fungicides is well established, the interaction between CuONPs and fungal cells requires deeper investigation to address azole resistance and guide the design of next-generation fungicide formulations. CuONPs not only disrupted fungal cell walls and translocated into the cells but also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of smart nanomaterial-based agrochemical formulations in which the carrier system itself is antifungal and simultaneously serves as a plant micronutrient. This dual functionality paves the way for innovative strategies that integrate crop health management with global efforts to achieve Zero Hunger goal, strengthening food security, enhancing yield stability, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.