pH IN PEST CONTROL: EFFECTS ON FORMULATION AND PERFORMANCE
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
pH is a fundamental physicochemical parameter that influences nearly every stage of pest control product development and application, yet its role remains comparatively underrepresented in integrated discussions of formulation science and pest management. Beyond serving as a routine quality control measure, pH directly governs active ingredient stability, solubility, preservative efficiency, dispersion behaviour, emulsion formation, and storage performance, thereby affecting overall product efficacy. Variations in pH may accelerate degradation reactions, alter biological availability, and influence interactions between pest control products and environmental matrices. In formulation development, pH determines the compatibility of active compounds with surfactants, solvents, preservatives, and carrier systems. Improper pH adjustment may lead to precipitation, hydrolysis, phase separation, reduced shelf life, and loss of biological activity. During application, pH influences spray solution stability, water compatibility, residual performance, and persistence on treated surfaces. Environmental conditions including water hardness, soil chemistry, and surface characteristics further modify pH-dependent product behaviour. The importance of pH extends beyond formulation characteristics and may affect pest physiology through changes in feeding responses, microbial growth, sensory perception, and biochemical activity. Such interactions are increasingly relevant with the growth of botanical repellents, bio-based formulations, and environmentally responsive pest management technologies. This review consolidates current understanding of pH across formulation chemistry, application science, pest interactions, and environmental performance. The paper highlights existing knowledge gaps and discusses opportunities for improved formulation optimization and future development of more stable and effective pest control systems.
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
1. Akbari, S., & Nour, A. H. (2018). Emulsion types, stability mechanisms and rheology: A review. International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies, 1(1), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.53894/ijirss.v1i1.4
2. Badruddoza, A. Z. M., Yeoh, T., Shah, J. C., & Walsh, T. (2023). Assessing and predicting physical stability of emulsion-based topical semisolid products: A review. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 112(7), 1772–1793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2023.03.014
3. Bokulić Petrić, A., Stipičević, S., & Mešić, A. (2023). Stability of malathion, diazinon and chlorpyrifos in different water types: A review. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 24(4), 873–887. https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/24.4.3920
4. Borges, D. F., Lopes, E. A., Moraes, A. R. F., Soares, M. S., Visôtto, L. E., Oliveira, C. R., & Valente, V. M. M. (2018). Formulation of botanicals for the control of plant-pathogens: A review. Crop Protection, 110, 135–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2018.04.003
5. Camilleri, P. (1984). Alkaline hydrolysis of some pyrethroid insecticides. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 32(5), 1122–1124. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00125a048
6. Fishel, F. M., & Ferrell, J. A. (2007). Water pH and the Effectiveness of Pesticides: PI-156/PI193, 6/2007. EDIS, 2007(17). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-pi193-2007
7. Food and Agriculture Organization. (2024). Hydrolysis rate: Pesticide registration toolkit. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/pesticide-registration-toolkit/registration-tools/data-requirements-and-testing-guidelines/study-detail/en/c/1186906/
8. Marhamati, M., Ranjbar, G., & Rezaie, M. (2021). Effects of emulsifiers on the physicochemical stability of Oil-in-water Nanoemulsions: A critical review. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 340, 117218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2021.117218
9. McClements D. J. (2007). Critical review of techniques and methodologies for characterization of emulsion stability. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 47(7), 611-649. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408390701289292
10. McClements, D. J., & Jafari, S. M. (2018). Improving emulsion formation, stability and performance using mixed emulsifiers: A review. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 251, 55-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2017.12.001
11. Niu, H., Wang, W., Dou, Z., Chen, X., Chen, X., Chen, H., & Fu, X. (2023). Multiscale combined techniques for evaluating emulsion stability: A critical review. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 311, 102813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2022.102813
12. Russell A. D. (2003). Challenge testing: principles and practice. International journal of cosmetic science, 25(3), 147–153. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-2494.2003.00179.x
13. Safaya, M., & Rotliwala, Y. C. (2020). Nanoemulsions: A review on low energy formulation methods, characterization, applications and optimization technique. Materials Today: Proceedings, 27, 454–459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2019.11.267
14. Stangroom, S. J., Collins, C. D., & Lester, J. N. (2000). Abiotic behaviour of organic micropollutants in soils and the aquatic environment. A review: II. Transformations. Environmental Technology, 21(8), 865–882. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593332108618059
15. Takahashi, N., Mikami, N., Matsuda, T., & Miyamoto, J. (1985). Hydrolysis of the pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin in aqueous media. Journal of Pesticide Science, 10(4), 643–648. https://doi.org/10.1584/jpestics.10.643
16. Zamy, C., Mazellier, P., & Legube, B. (2004). Analytical and kinetic study of the aqueous hydrolysis of four organophosphorus and two carbamate pesticides. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 84(14–15), 1059–1068. https://doi.org/10.1080/03067310412331298403