Alternative Biodefensive based on the Essential Oil from Allium sativum Encapsulated in PCL/Gelatin Nanoparticles

Edgar A Sanches,Henrique D Da Fonseca Filho,Jaqueline De A Bezerra,Josiana M Mar,Laiane S Silva,Larissa Medeiros De Oliveira,Marcos B Machado,Maxwaldo S Rabelo,Pedro H Campelo,Sidney G Azevedo,Suzan Xavier Lima

doi:10.32732/jfet.2019.8.2.65

Edgar A Sanches, Henrique D Da Fonseca Filho + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.32732/jfet.2019.8.2.65

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Abstract

The goal of this paper was to develop a biodegradable system containing the essential oil from Allium sativum bulbs encapsulated in PCL/gelatin-based nanoparticles, as well as evaluate its efficiency to control Aedes aegypti Linn. larvae and Cerataphis lataniae Bois. aphids. The essential oil was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS, and six compounds were identified, representing 93.1% of the total oil. The major compounds were diallyl trisulfide (51.8%), diallyl disulfide (23.2%) and allyl methyl trisulfide (13.6%). The PCL/gelatin-based nanoparticles containing this essential oil exhibited encapsulation efficiency higher than 94%, average particle diameter around 200 nm and zeta potential values about −36 mV. The essential oil presented no antioxidant nor enzymatic activities, so its effectiveness might be explained by the presence of sulfur compounds. The release kinetics of the encapsulated essential oil confirmed the release mechanism by the Fick's Law. About 50% of the encapsulated essential oil was released after 1 h, and about 90% was released after 50 h. This behavior is interesting from the technological point of view since the nanoparticles released as much oil as possible in a short period of time and then the lethal dosages were maintained along the time. Nanoparticles containing the encapsulated essential oil was submitted to in vitro bioassays against A. aegypti and C. lataniae and showed 100% of mortality against larvae and aphids up to 24 h. In conclusion, the essential oil from A. sativum presented effectiveness to be applied in sustainable management of pests in greenhouses, as well as for larvicidal control.

Highlights

Garlic and the other Allium species have been known since ancient times due to their health benefits [1]
Nanoparticles containing essential oil showed 100% of mortality against larvae and aphids up to 24 h. These results show that the nanoparticles containing encapsulated essential oil of the specie A. sativum are efficient against the tested pests, causing their total mortality in short time due to the efficient controlled release of the lethal dosages
The essential oil employed in this work represents an efficient alternative as controlling agent to combat A. aegypti larvae and C. lataniae aphids

Summary

Introduction

Garlic and the other Allium species have been known since ancient times due to their health benefits [1]. The bioactivity effect of the in natura and encapsulated essential oil from Allium sativum bulbs (Asparagale: Amaryllidaceae) was evaluated in this work against larvae (Aedes aegypti Linn.) and aphids (Cerataphis lataniae Boisd.). These common pests in tropical and subtropical countries are currently causing severe damages in human health, as well as in food crops and greenhouses. The mosquito A. aegypti Linn., vector of the yellow and dengue hemorrhagic fever, has been widely distributed in tropical and subtropical zones. The palm aphid, Cerataphis lataniae Boisd., is a local pest of açaí palms (Euterpe oleracea Martus and E. precatoria Martus) that may cause death of young plants or early fall of flowers and fruits [4]

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