Abstract
Using smart nanopesticide formulations based on nanomaterials can offer promising potential applications for decreasing pesticide residues and their effects on human health and the environment. In this study, a novel nanoformulation (NF) of thiamethoxam (TMX) was fabricated using the solvent evaporation method through loading TMX on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as the carrier. The synthesized TMX-CNCs was investigated through different techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results revealed that the loading efficiency and entrapment efficiency were 18.7% and 83.7 ± 1.8% for TMX, respectively. The prepared nanoformulation (TMX-CNCs) had a width of 7–14 nm and a length of 85–214 nm with a zeta potential of −23.6 ± 0.3 mV. The drug release behavior study exhibited that the release of TMX from TMX-loaded CNCs was good and sustained. Furthermore, bioassay results showed that the insecticidal activity of TMX-CNCs against Phenacoccus solenopsis was significantly superior to that of the technical and commercial formulation, as indicated by the lower LC50 value. The results indicate that the TMX nanoformulation has great potential for application in agriculture for pest control.
Highlights
Pesticides play an indispensable role in agriculture and are needed for crop protection against insect pests, weeds, and plant pathogens [1]
There has recently been a great deal of effort to develop pesticide delivery systems by using various materials
This study aims to develop cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a carrier system for the TMX insecticide, which offers an alternative technique for pest control
Summary
Pesticides play an indispensable role in agriculture and are needed for crop protection against insect pests, weeds, and plant pathogens [1]. According to the data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), pesticides can save 30% of the total crop production losses worldwide [2,3]. They cause several adverse impacts on our life and ecosystems because of their toxicity to humans and non-target organisms [4]. In order to compensate for these losses and to maintain effective control of pests, conventional pesticide formulations are often applied at concentrations that are much higher than that desired to reach the required effect [8,9]. The intensive and irrational usage of chemical pesticides increases agrochemicals’ economic
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