ROS sensitive micelles of carbon dioxide based amphiphilic polymer for delivery of avermectin

A novel amphiphilic polymer, methoxy polyethylene glycols (mPEG)-3, 3′-(propane-2, 2-diylbis (sulfanediyl)) dipropionic acid (TK)-poly (propylene oxide-co-carbon dioxide-co-allyl glycidyl ether) (PPAG) (mPEG 2000 -TK-PPAG), was successfully synthesized for delivery of avermectin (AVE). The chemical structure was characterized by FTIR. In aqueous medium, mPEG 2000 -TK-PPAG could self-assembled into micelles. The AVE loaded mPEG 2000 -TK-PPAG micelles showed a considerable drug-loading content of 19 %. The prepared micelles were spherical morphology with average hydrodynamic diameter 469.4 nm and zeta potential of around –33.6 mv. AVE was released slowly from the AVE loaded mPEG 2000 -TK-PPAG micelles in a neutral condition and was released rapidly under stimulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, this ROS responsive micelle formulation achieves target control of pests and provides an efficient micelle platform for green agriculture.