Characterizing pesticide and surfactant penetration with isolated plant cuticles

A survey is presented of the use of isolated leaf and fruit cuticles in studying foliar penetration. Isolated cuticles, which represent the prime barrier to penetration, provide a physical system with which transport studies can be conducted under well‐defined and highly controlled conditions while avoiding the physiological effects of biologically active compounds on the system. Most studies with isolated cuticles have focused on sorption, desorption and infinite‐dose cuticular transport of compounds in aqueous systems. Partition coefficients can be calculated for pesticides from sorption data, thereby yielding information on the solubility of the compounds in the cuticle. Permeance and diffusion coefficients can be calculated from cuticular transport studies. These transport parameters provide for a better understanding of the mechanisms of cuticular penetration. Further, they are useful in comparing both the penetration characteristics of selected compounds and permeability of cuticles. Transport systems, using isolated cuticles, may be used to quantify the effects of spray additives on pesticide penetration. A finite‐dose system is described that may be useful in studying spray droplet/deposit interactions with the cuticle and, concurrently, following transcuticular penetration from droplets/deposits on the surface. These systems may prove useful in optimizing spray formulations and spray parameters, leading to more efficient pesticide development and application.