02134nas a2200217   4500008004100000022001500041245012700056210006900183260000800252300001500260490000600275520133600281100002101617700002201638700002201660700002301682700002401705700002601729700003101755856013001786       2018                        eng d  a 2168-048500aTuning controlled release behavior of starch granules using nanofibrillated cellulose derived from waste sugarcane bagasse0 aTuning controlled release behavior of starch granules using nano  cJUL  a 9208-92170 v63 aControlled release formulations help to encapsulate agrochemicals and deliver at a sustained rate. Growing environmental challenges have increased the need for controlled release systems based on sustainable feed-stocks. To this end, we report here the preparation and properties of a monolith-type controlled release granular formulation based on two ubiquitous biopolymers, starch and cellulose. Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) derived from waste sugarcane bagasse were mixed with gelatinized maize starch and urea formaldehyde to yield nanocomposite granular formulation. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) was used as model encapsulant. The morphology of CNFs and CNFreinforced starch granules was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, BET porosimetry, and X-ray tomography. Incorporation of only 2-4 wt % CNFs led to a significant reduction in porosity as compared to that for neat starch granules, while the water uptake was enhanced by 20-30%. Reinforcing starch with CNFs led to a significant reduction in initial release rate and yet higher overall release of DMP, thereby allowing effective utilization of entrapped chemicals. This interesting release behavior could be attributed to two competing factors, water uptake-induced diffusion and barrier effects rendered by nanocellulose network.1 aPatil, Mayur, D.1 aPatil, Vishal, D.1 aSapre, Aditya, A.1 aAmbone, Tushar, S.1 aTorris, Arun, A. T.1 aShukla, Parshuram, G.1 aShanmuganathan, Kadhiravan  uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/tuning-controlled-release-behavior-starch-granules-using-nanofibrillated-cellulose-derived