Enhanced permeation, leaf retention, and plant protease inhibitor activity with bicontinuous microemulsions

► Bicontinuous microemulsions offer water-rich media for protein encapsulation. ► These systems provide high surface wettability and spreadability along with prolonged activity retention. ► They enable efficient leaf permeation and enhanced leaf retention of the incorporated protease inhibitor protein. ► Leaf retention is enabled by leaf surface modulation by the microemulsions and self-repair.