International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

Microencapsulation of biological control agents in biopolymer matrices is a valuable alternative to produce formulations with extended shelf-life. In this work, Trichoderma asperellum TAIK 1 conidia and Pseudomonas putida PIK1 bacterial cells were microencapsulated using different wall materials viz., maltodextrin, sodium alginate, carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), gum arabic, and a cross linking agent gelatin with a hardening material calcium chloride. The encapsulation methods extrusion, emulsification and spray drying was performed using these wall materials. Spray drying process resulted in compact and smooth surface capsule with each individual cell in comparison to the other two methods, confirmed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Further the viablility of organisms were checked, among these the combination maltoderxtrin (2%) + gelatin (1.5%) + CaCl₂ (2%) resulted in 70% viability. And also effect of spray-drying inlet and outlet air temperatures were standardized for TAIK 1 and PIK1 spores. Highest conidial survival was shown in inlet and outlet temperature, feed rate/h (130⁰C, 60⁰C, feed rate 60ml/h for TAIK1) and (120⁰C, 50⁰C, feed rate 60ml/h for PIK1). Therefore, our study obtained the optimal process for encapsulation of bioagents TAIK1 and PIK1. Thus it can be used as sustainable tool for eco-friendly bio-control agents release.