Technology

Plant-mediated nanobioformulation

One product, multiple crops: a next-generation crop-protection platform built from plant bioactives, green nanotechnology and biopolymer-based delivery.

Presently at
6/7of 9
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

Validated in relevant environments (greenhouse and field trials). Multi-location field trials under controlled supervision are taking the technology towards TRL-7.

The development roadmap
How the nanobioformulation worksA biopolymer shell carries plant bioactives and green-synthesised nanoparticles. Smaller particles stick to the leaf surface and release their actives slowly.1234
  1. 1Plant bioactives Naturally derived bioactive ingredients.
  2. 2Green nanotechnology Plant-mediated approaches integrated with nanotechnology.
  3. 3Biopolymer-based delivery May improve stability, delivery and plant-surface interaction.
  4. 4At the plant surface Better adhesion, penetration and controlled release.

Conceptual illustration, not to scale.

Why nanobioformulation

Plant bioactives are valuable, but conventional botanical formulations can struggle in the field. Nanotechnology and biopolymer delivery address these weak points and make the product more practical to use.

Weak points of conventional botanicals

  • Stability
  • Dispersion
  • Degradation
  • Adhesion
  • Persistence

What nano-delivery adds

  • Better adhesion to the plant surface
  • Improved penetration
  • Controlled release
  • More stable, reliable field performance

Goal: effective, practical, scalable and sustainability-oriented.

The platform

  1. 01

    Plant bioactives

    Naturally derived, plant-based bioactive ingredients.

  2. 02

    Green nanotechnology

    Plant-mediated approaches integrated with advanced nanotechnology.

  3. 03

    Biopolymer-based delivery

    Biopolymer and nanoscale components may improve stability, delivery and plant-surface interaction.

  4. 04

    Advanced nanobioformulation

    One multifunctional formulation for seed, soil and foliar use.

What the formulation offers

Plant-based, low-residue

Designed for an improved safety profile, and evaluated across lab, greenhouse and field trials.

Versatile and cost-efficient

For seed, soil and foliar use, and designed for lower doses and fewer sprays to cut the cost of protection.

Nano-delivery system

Better adhesion, penetration and controlled release, for stable and reliable field performance.

Biodegradable and eco-friendly

Supports soil health and sustainability, with the aim of improving yield and crop quality.

Potential functions and modes of use

One multifunctional formulation with five potential functions. The highlighted function, fungicidal activity, is the focus of the validated product portfolio.

Fungicidal activity

The focus of the validated product portfolio.

Antimicrobial protection

Plant-growth support

Plant health and rejuvenation

Anti-viral for selected crops

Seed, soil and foliar use

Seed

Soil

Foliar

  • Imaging nanoparticles on the JEOL JEM-F200 transmission electron microscope (TEM) at IISER Mohali
  • Drying and processing plant material
  • Preparing samples in the wet lab
  • Instrument bench in the lab
  • Preparing sample vials at the lab bench
  • Sorting plant material
  • A large flask on a magnetic stirrer in the wet lab
  • Looking at a sample through the electron microscope
  • Foil-wrapped bottles on a magnetic stirrer
  • Running a sample on a lab instrument
  • Processed plant material
  • Packing area

Facilities and lab capability

Our working space includes a plant drying and processing area, a wet lab for lab trials and a packing area. Characterisation uses:

UV-Vis spectroscopyTEMDLSZeta potentialSEM-EDSPXRD
  • Safety and lab validation: cytotoxicity tests on human cell lines; physico-chemical parameters, including N-P-K; lab trials.
  • Stability studies: shelf life, efficacy, safety and environmental impact.
  • Greenhouse and field validation: greenhouse trials and supervised multi-location, multi-crop field trials through 2026.
5

patent applications filed with the Indian Patent Office

Intellectual property

Five patent applications have been filed with the Indian Patent Office. A sixth is underway.

5 applications filed1 published6th underway

Terms used on this site

Short, general definitions of the technical terms above.

TRL (Technology Readiness Level)
A 1–9 scale of how close a technology is to real-world use. TRL 6: demonstrated in a relevant environment. TRL 7: prototype demonstrated in an operational environment.
Phytotoxicity
Damage to a plant caused by a substance applied to it, such as leaf burn, discolouration or stunted growth.
Rainfastness
How well a product stays on the plant after rain instead of being washed off.
Pathogen
An organism that causes disease. The pathogens named on the product cards are fungi.
UV-Vis spectroscopy
Measures how a sample absorbs ultraviolet and visible light; used to follow the formation of nanoparticles.
TEM
Transmission electron microscopy: images particles at the nanometre scale to show their size and shape.
DLS
Dynamic light scattering: measures the size distribution of particles suspended in a liquid.
Zeta potential
The surface charge of particles in a liquid; an indicator of how stable a dispersion is.
SEM-EDS
Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy: surface imaging plus elemental composition.
PXRD
Powder X-ray diffraction: identifies the crystalline structure of a material.

Work with our research team

We work with partners on validation, crop-specific trials and technology licensing.

Talk to our team See the products