Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have demonstrated important plant growth-inducing activity, but their applications in horticulture are limited. In recent years, lipid-nanoparticles (Lipid-NPs) have been developed as an efficient carrier for the delivery system of lipophilic compounds. Nevertheless, the research associated with VOC application through Lipid-NPs has not been studied. The main objective was to evaluate the growth induction of Lactuca sativa and Solanum lycopersicum through the controlled release of VOCs from lipid-NPs. Solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were developed for the release of three selected VOCs with previously known growth-inducing activity (2-nonanone, 2-undecanone, and 2-tridecanone). From 48 tested formulations, SLN-21 and NLC-8 showed the smallest diameters and high stability. Differential release of 2-nonanone and 2-undecanone was detected from SLN-21 and NLC-8, while the release of 2-tridecanone was high and constant from both lipid-NPs. Seeds bioassays demonstrated that no toxicity was triggered by VOCs released from lipid-NPs. An effective increase in root and foliar growth was achieved in L. sativa and S. lycopersicum with VOCs released from both lipid-NPs evaluated. Interestingly, all VOCs released from lipid-NPs significantly increased the development of lateral root in S. lycopersicum, and root hair density in both vegetables. Therefore, lipid-NPs are an effective and efficient tool for the release of VOCs to be applied as plant growth promoters in horticulture.