Nanopesticide based on botanical insecticide pyrethrum and its potential effects on honeybees

Author(s)

Oliveira, Cristiane R. ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Domingues, Caio E. C. ^[4] ; de Melo, Nathalie F. S. ^[5] ; Roat, Thaisa C. ^[4] ; Malaspina, Osmar ^[4] ; Jones-Costa, Monica ^{[1, 2]} ; Silva-Zacarin, Elaine C. M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Fraceto, Leonardo F. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Biol, CCHB, Lab Fisiol Conservacao, Campus Sorocaba, Rodovia Joao Leme Santos Km 110, BR-18052780 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Lab Ecotoxicol & Biomarcadores Anim, Rodovia Joao Leme Santos Km 110, BR-18052780 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP Julio de Mesquita Fi, Inst Ciencia & Tecnol Sorocaba, Lab Nanotecnol Ambiental, Ave Tres Marco 511, BR-18087180 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP Julio de Mesquita Fi, CEIS, Dept Biol, Campus Rio Clare, Ave 24 A, 1515 Jardim Bela Vista, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[5] Fac Med Sao Leopoldo Mandic, Campus Araras, Ave Dona Renata 71, BR-13600001 Araras, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Chemosphere; v. 236, DEC 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Nanotechnology has the potential to overcome the challenges of sustainable agriculture, and nanopesticides can control agricultural pests and increase farm productivity with little environmental impact. However, it is important to evaluate their toxicity on non-target organisms, such as honeybees (Apis mellifera) that forage on crops. The aims of this study were to develop a nanopesticide that was based on solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded with pyrethrum extract (PYR) and evaluate its physicochemical properties and short-term toxicity on a non-target organism (honeybee). SLN + PYR was physicochemically stable after 120 days. SLN + PYR had a final diameter of 260.8 +/- 3.7 nm and a polydispersion index of 0.15 +/- 0.02 nm, in comparison with SLN alone that had a diameter of 406.7 +/- 6.7 nm and a polydispersion index of 039 +/- 0.12 nm. SLN + PYR had an encapsulation efficiency of 99%. The survival analysis of honeybees indicated that PYR10ng presented shorter longevity than those in the control group (P <= 0.01). Empty nanoparticles and PYR10ng caused morphological alterations in the bees' midguts, whereas pyrethrum-loaded nanoparticles had no significant effect on digestive cells, so are considered safer, at least in the short term, for honeybees. These results are important in understanding the effects of nanopesticides on beneficial insects and may decrease the environmental impacts of pesticides. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/21004-5 - Agriculture, micro/nanotechnology and environment: from evaluation of the mechanisms of action to studies of transport and toxicity
• Grantee: Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/01424-4 - Sporogenesis and gametogenesis of Rauvolfia l. species (Apocynaceae) with report of monoecy, dioecy and ginodioecy
• Grantee: Letícia Silva Souto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants