Toxicity evaluation and biological activity of zein nanoparticles containing the biocide azadirachtin

• Grant number: 15/17120-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2016
• End date: September 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto
• Grantee: Mônica Pascoli
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

For the pest control, it is necessary to use large amounts of chemicals, which often have adverse effects both for the environment and for human health, which has motivated the search for alternative less impact. Another problem associated with the use of agrochemicals is pests eventually develop resistance to chemicals, making them ineffective for the control of agricultural pests. In this scenario, several mechanisms have been studied to minimize this damage, such as the development of carrier systems using biodegradable polymers and proteins. Added to this, the use of botanical insecticides has also demonstrated potential for combating pests, due to lower impacts of these natural products. Therefore, the present doctoral project aims evaluate the possible toxicity mechanisms of zein nanoparticles containing azadirachtin, and to evaluate the potential biological activity of these. For this, three cell lines will be used for citotoxic analysis which include cell membrane damage tests, metabolic and structural organelles changes tests. Also phytotoxicity will be evaluated using physiological analysis of gas exchange, photosynthesis and oxidative stress in plants. Another aspect to be evaluated is the possible impact of the formulations on soil bacteria using molecular biology. Studies will be conducted to evaluate the interaction of these nanoparticles with soil organism C. elegans (nematode) to obtain information about the potential toxicity of terrestrial organism. Finally, tests on target organism will be carried out, Callosobruchus maculatus, for get data about the potential use of this system in pest control in agriculture. The importance of this project lies in the dimension that the agricultural sector accounts for Brazilian and world economy, combined with that of the crop protection market is growing annually, with Brazil being one of the leaders in the consumption of these products. Thus, the development of technology with high added value to the pest control area in agriculture is promising as more efficient systems can be produced in pest control, with less active, less impacting the environment and consequently to human health.

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PASCOLI, MONICA; DE LIMA, RENATA; FRACETO, LEONARDO F.. Zein Nanoparticles and Strategies to Improve Colloidal Stability: A Mini-Review. FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY, v. 6, JAN 25 2018. (15/17120-4, 15/15617-9)

CAMPOS, ESTEFANIA V. R.; DE OLIVEIRA, JHONES L.; PASCOLI, MONICA; DE LIMA, RENATE; FRACETO, LEONARDO F.. Neem Oil and Crop Protection: From Now to the Future. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE, v. 7, OCT 13 2016. (14/20286-9, 13/12322-2, 15/17120-4, 14/20273-4, 15/15617-9)

SARAIVA, NARIANI ROCHA; RONCATO, JULIANA FOLETTO FREDO; PASCOLI, MONICA; MACEDO E SOUSA, JOAO MARCOS FONSECA; WINDBERG, JR., LUIZ FELIPE; ROSSATTO, FERNANDA CRISTINA POSSAMAI; SOARES, JEFFERSON DE JESUS; DENARDIN, ELTON LUIS GASPAROTTO; PUNTEL, ROBSON LUIZ; ZIMMER, KARINE RIGON; et al. Clove oil-loaded zein nanoparticles as potential bioinsecticide agent with low toxicity. SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY, v. 24, DEC 2021. (17/21004-5, 15/17120-4)

PASCOLI, MONICA; DE LIMA, RENATA; FRACETO, LEONARDO F.. Zein Nanoparticles and Strategies to Improve Colloidal Stability: A Mini-Review. RONTIERS IN CHEMISTR, v. 6, p. 5-pg., 2018-01-25. (15/17120-4, 15/15617-9)

PASCOLI, MONICA; JACQUES, MAURICIO T.; AGARRAYUA, DANIELLE A.; AVILA, DAIANA S.; LIMA, RENATA; FRACETO, LEONARDO F.. Neem oil based nanopesticide as an environmentally-friendly formulation for applications in sustainable agriculture: An ecotoxicological perspective. Science of The Total Environment, v. 677, p. 57-67, AUG 10 2019. (15/17120-4, 17/21004-5)

PASCOLI, MONICA; DE ALBUQUERQUE, FELICIA PEREIRA; CALZAVARA, ANDERSON KIKUCHI; TINOCO-NUNES, BRUNO; CRUZ OLIVEIRA, WANDERSON HENRIQUE; GONCALVES, KELLY CRISTINA; POLANCZYK, RICARDO ANTONIO; DELLA VECHIA, JAQUELINE FRANCIOSI; SOARES DE MATOSS, SIDNEIA TEREZINHA; DE ANDRADE, DANIEL JUNIOR; et al. The potential of nanobiopesticide based on zein nanoparticles and neem oil for enhanced control of agricultural pests. JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE, v. 93, n. 2, JAN 2020. (15/17120-4, 13/11343-6, 17/21004-5)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

PASCOLI, Mônica. Toxicity evaluation and biological activity of zein nanoparticles containing the biocide azadirachtin. 2019. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. Sorocaba Sorocaba.