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- Title
Nanoformulations with exopolysaccharides from cyanobacteria: enhancing the efficacy of bioactive molecules in the Mediterranean fruit fly control.
- Authors
Falsini, Sara; Rosi, Marzia Cristiana; Ravegnini, Elia; Schiff, Silvia; Gonnelli, Cristina; Papini, Alessio; Adessi, Alessandra; Urciuoli, Silvia; Ristori, Sandra
- Abstract
The increasing demand for food has required intensive use of pesticides which are hazardous to the ecosystem. A valid alternative is represented by biopesticides; however, these molecules are often insoluble in water, and poorly bioavailable. Nanopesticides can be engineered to reach a selected target with controlled release of the active principle. In this work, capsaicin, an irritant alkaloid from hot chili peppers, and hydroxytyrosol, a phenolic compound obtained from extra-virgin olive oil by-products, were loaded into innovative nanocarriers. These were designed ad hoc combining exopolysaccharides from the cyanobacteria Neocyanospira capsulata, and a lipid component, i.e., egg phosphatidylcholine. The polysaccharide was chosen for chemical affinity with the chitin of insect exoskeleton, while the lipids were introduced to modulate the carrier rigidity. The newly formed nanosystems were characterized by physico-chemical techniques and tested for their possible use in pest control programs. The Mediterranean Fruit Fly Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, 1824 (Diptera, Tephriditae), a pest of the Mediterranean Region causing high economic losses, was used as a model insect. We found that the nanoformulations nanocarriers prepared in this work, were able to increase the ovicidal effect of hydroxytyrosol. Moreover, the formulation encapsulating either hydroxytyrosol or capsaicin were able to reduce the number of females landing on treated apricots.
- Subjects
MEDITERRANEAN fruit-fly; FRUIT fly control; CHEMICAL affinity; HOT peppers; PEST control
- Publication
Environmental Science & Pollution Research, 2023, Vol 30, Issue 35, p83760
- ISSN
0944-1344
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11356-023-28180-x