Unsung heroes under the soil
Much of the scientific work being carried out at the Massey University led regenerative agriculture project, Whenua Haumanu, is below the ground.
Senior Research Fellow Dr Peter James from UQ's Centre for Animal Science believes nanotechnology could be part of the solution to a problem that costs the Australian sheep industry AU$73 million a year.
"New methods that can provide longer periods of protection are required to counter the development of resistance to flystrike, insecticides and to support the reduced reliance on mulesing, a surgical technique that has been relied upon over many years," James says.
The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) funded project is designing and testing unique silica nanocapsule particles with surface spikes purpose-built to give prolonged periods of protection against flystrike and lice.
"We've had very promising results during testing with the slow-release formulations giving extended periods of protection in comparisons with more conventional formulations."
James, who heads the project, says the results showed the careful choice of active ingredient can ensure minimal residues or off-target effects for the sheep.
"Nanocapsules offer new, labour-efficient options fro managing flystrike and could also help counter the risk of blowflies developing resistance to treatment," he adds.
"Historically, chemical pesticides have been delivered in relatively large doses to achieve extended protection, but in slow-release formulas doses can be smaller."
James explains that by using nanocapsules, the chemical can either be delivered at steady levels over a prolonged period or designed to release only when needed.
Materials scientist Professor Michael Yu says UQ had patented the silica nanoparticles that feature a hollow cavity and a porous silica shell.
"We've tested a number of designs, but the most promising is a nanoparticle that has whisker-like spikes which cover the outer surface," Yu explains. "These spikes help the capsules 'stick' to either the fleece fibres or to the blowflies."
AWI general manager research Dr Jane Littlejohn has welcomed the research and says nanotechnology had the potential to increase the range of treatment options available to woolgrowers.
The next stage of the research will be to move the study out of the laboratory and test the technology in the field.
