Zein Nanoparticles as Eco-Friendly Carrier Systems for Botanical Repellents Aiming Sustainable Agriculture

Author(s)

de Oliveira, Jhones L. ^[1] ; Campos, Estefania V. R. ^[2] ; Pereira, Anderson E. S. ^[2] ; Pasquoto, Tatiane ^[3] ; Lima, Renata ^[3] ; Grillo, Renato ^[4] ; de Andrade, Daniel Junior ^[5] ; dos Santos, Fabiano Aparecido ^[5] ; Fraceto, Leonardo Fernandes ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Sci & Technol, BR-18087180 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biochem & Tissue Biol, BR-13083862 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sorocaba, Dept Biotechnol, BR-18023000 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

^[4] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Engn, Dept Phys & Chem, BR-15385000 Ilha Solteira, SP - Brazil

^[5] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Coll Agr & Vet Sci, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry; v. 66, n. 6, p. 1330-1340, FEB 14 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 21

Abstract

Botanical repellents represent one of the main ways of reducing the use of synthetic pesticides and the contamination of soil and hydric resources. However, the poor stability and rapid degradation of these compounds in the environment hinder their effective application in the field. Zein nanoparticles can be used as eco-friendly carrier systems to protect these substances against premature degradation, provide desirable release characteristics, and reduce toxicity in the environment and to humans. In this study, we describe the preparation and characterization of zein nanoparticles loaded with the main constituents of the essential oil of citronella (geraniol and R-citronellal). The phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and insect activity of the nanoparticles toward target and nontarget organisms were also evaluated. The botanical formulations showed high encapsulation efficiency (>90%) in the nanoparticles, good physicochemical stability, and effective protection of the repellents against UV degradation. Cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity assays showed that encapsulation of the botanical repellents decreased their toxicity. Repellent activity tests showed that nanoparticles containing the botanical repellents were highly repellent against the Tetranychus urticae Koch mite. This nanotechnological formulation offers a new option for the effective use of botanical repellents in agriculture, reducing toxicity, protecting against premature degradation, and providing effective pest control. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/15617-9 - Botanical repellents and nanotechnology: development of systems for pest control in agriculture
• Grantee: Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/20286-9 - Development of modified release systems based on zein and chitosan for botanical repellents aiming the control of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in different cultures
• Grantee: Jhones Luiz de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate