Microencapsulation for Controlled Delivery of Biopesticides: Emerging Trends and Perspectives

Abstract

The extensive use of chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides in modern agriculture has led to significant environmental concerns, particularly due to their negative effects on soil microbial diversity and beneficial organisms involved in natural pest suppression. Biopesticides have emerged as a sustainable alternative owing to their biodegradability, target specificity, and minimal ecological impact. However, their widespread application is limited by poor environmental stability, including susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation, temperature fluctuations, and desiccation, which reduces their effectiveness under field conditions. Encapsulation technologies have gained considerable attention as a strategy to overcome these limitations by improving the stability, shelf life, and delivery efficiency of biopesticides. This review covers studies published between 2000 and 2025 and focuses on major encapsulation approaches, including microencapsulation (spray drying and complex coacervation), nanoencapsulation, emulsification, liposomal delivery systems, and polymer-based carriers such as alginate, chitosan, and lignosulphonates. These techniques enable controlled and sustained release of active ingredients, enhance protection against environmental stresses, and improve overall pest control efficacy. Despite these advancements, challenges such as high production costs, scalability constraints, formulation variability, and limited field validation remain significant barriers to large-scale adoption. Furthermore, regulatory issues and the lack of standardized evaluation protocols hinder commercialization. Future research should focus on developing cost-effective and scalable encapsulation systems, along with integrating emerging technologies such as nanotechnology and precision agriculture to enhance the performance and adoption of biopesticides in sustainable crop protection systems.