Evaluation of insecticidal activity of nanoformulation of Melia azedarach (leaf) extract as a safe environmental insecticide

Abstract

Continued use of chemical pesticides causes environmental pollution in Iran and other countries. The use of botanical compounds such as plant extracts is considered as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. In this study, insecticidal activities of the nanoencapsulated leaf extracts of Melia azedarach of Iranian origin were evaluated for the first time. In the current study, the chemical composition of Melia extract and insecticidal activities of the plant extract and coated nanoliposomes on adults of Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Myzus persicae were evaluated. Results indicated that the Melia extract (uncoated nanoliposomes and coated nanoliposomes) is more toxic to the T. vaporariorum. The nanoencapsulated M. azedarach (leaf) extract morphology was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and optical microscopy (OM). The results of TEM and OM indicated that the morphology of nanoencapsulated Melia (leaf) extract is in spherical shape. The major components in plant extract were as follows: benzenedicarboxylic acid (41.307%), ethyl benzoate (16.18%) and isoxazole (6.13%). The fumigant toxicity of nanoencapsulated M. azedarach had an ordered relationship with the concentration and time exposure. Probit analysis showed that the LC50 values of plant extract for T. vaporariorum and M. persicae were 492.85 and 547.65 ppm for 48-h exposure, respectively. The mortality percentage of Trialeurodes vaporariorum by pure plant extract and plant extract of Melia azedarach loaded nanoliposomes for 20 days after the production of pesticides 13% and 83% were obtained, respectively. The overall results indicated that nanoencapsulated M. azedarach extract has high potential in controlling pests.