Development and Characterization of Nano-fertilizer using Pseudo-Ternary Phase Diagram

https://doi.org/10.22146/agritech.105085

Noor Azlina Masdor(1*), Nadia Izati Fadzil(2), Mohd Nor Mohd Rosmi(3), Muhamad Shafiq Abd Karim(4), Mohd Firdaus Mohd Anuar(5), Susilawati Kassim(6), Norhayu Asib(7), Suwanty Ridzuan Anoam(8)

(1) Industrial Crop Research Centre, MARDI Headquarters, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor
(2) Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre, MARDI Headquarters, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor; Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor
(3) Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre, MARDI Headquarters, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor
(4) Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre, MARDI Headquarters, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor
(5) Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor
(6) Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor
(7) Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor
(8) Laboratory Department, Orion Biosains Sdn. Bhd., Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47160 Puchong, Selangor
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


This study aims to develop and characterize a nano-fertilizer for foliar application on rock melon (Cucumis melo). The formulation of the nano-fertilizer was based on a ternary phase diagram, which showed the behavior of NPKTE within emulsion components made up of surfactants, oil, and water, with the isotropic region identified as the most stable. In addition, the formulation was prepared using a high-energy emulsification method, consisting of 25.04% Tween 80, 4.36% neem oil, 20.60% water, and 50% NPK-TE. The results showed that the optimized nano-emulsion had a particle size of 92.58 nm, with a polydispersity index of 0.156, a zeta potential of -39.8 mV, a surface tension of 40.67 m -1 , and a viscosity of 100.46 mPa s -1 . Morphological analysis of the optimized nano-fertilizer showed spherical particles, showing good stability. The formulation showed no phase separation during the centrifugation test and maintained stability at 3 different temperatures (4, 25, and 54 °C) with turbidity reduction values of 23.18%, 8.65%, and 42.90%, respectively, over a period of 60 days.


Keywords


Cucumis melo; emulsion; foliar; nano-fertilizer; nanotechnology

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/agritech.105085

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