Pesticides as Microemulsion Formulations

Conventional systems like wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates (ECs), oil in water emulsions (O/W emulsions), water in oil emulsions (W/O emulsions), aqueous suspension concentrates etc. are popularly used as the pesticide formulations. However, the microemulsion systems are preferred for their long-term thermodynamic stability, low viscosity, cost economy, and aesthetic appeal. Such systems provide a method for preparing an isotropic mixture of oil and water. Major advantage of microemulsion is in usage of the widely, easily available, environmentally friendly, and least expensive diluents, water. Formulation of pesticide microemulsion is a difficult task. The present investigation deals with the systematic study to arrive at the economical composition for microemulsion and solubilized systems. These compositions gave maximum stability with the optimum usage of surfactants. The microemulsion and solubilized systems when further diluted with water gave macroemulsion and microemulsion respectively, which were stable over an extended period of time.