Association of biogenic silica nanoparticles obtained from rice husk as a strategy to increase the bioavailability of Beauveria bassiana for pest control

• Grant number: 21/12643-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto
• Grantee: Liliam Katsue Harada Rocha
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/21004-5 - Agriculture, micro/nanotechnology and environment: from evaluation of the mechanisms of action to studies of transport and toxicity, AP.TEM

Abstract

The use of new technologies to increase agricultural production and productivity with minimal impacts on the environment and human health are necessary. Therefore, these increments must be related to more sustainable technologies, with the intention of improving the quality, biological activity and low toxicity of the technology. In this way, the use of micro and nanotechnology, such as encapsulation of microorganisms and biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles applied to biological control, can be alternatives that aim at the same time to protect organisms from abiotic factors and stimulate their growth and reproduction, consequently increasing the its efficiency. In this context, this proposal aims at the synthesis of biogenic silica nanoparticles from rice husk using the fungus Fusarium oxysporum followed by the association of these particles with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. Due to the properties of silica nanoparticles, such as biocompatibility, non-toxic and stable, they also have insecticidal activity through the drying process of insect cuticles. Thus, the encapsulation of B. bassiana spores together with silica nanoparticles can contribute to an improvement in crop pest control. The encapsulation of these agents will bring greater effectiveness in pest control, since they would be protected from external factors and mechanical stress that can interfere with their bioavailability. (AU)