2³ central composite rotatable design for the production of neem oil nanoemulsion for antifungal and antiparasitic applications

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The present study describes the design and production of an oil-in-water nanoemulsion composed of neem oil as the inner phase for use as an antifungal and antiparasitic control in aquaculture. A 2 3 central composite rotatable design adopting surface response was used as the experimental design, setting the neem oil concentration (4-15%), surfactant concentration (0.5-10%) and sonication power (20-90%) as the independent variables, while the droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential were set as the response (dependent) variables.RESULTS: Droplet size and PDI showed the best results using the sonication method with 5 min of process. The coefficients of determination were greater than 0.900 for all response. The best formulation was obtained with 9% of neem oil and 5.25% of polysorbate 20.CONCLUSION: Antifungal activity of the optimized nanoemulsion against Saprolegnia parasitica was demonstrated, also attributed to the presence of the surfactant. Concentrations of 200 mg L −1 of nanoemulsion resulted in 100% parasitic mortality.

In focus: latest development of nanotechnology in Latin America

“…For example, Rabelo et al demonstrated the preparation of a nanoemulsion for encapsulating a fungicide (neem oil) as a new antifungal and antiparasitic control measure in aquaculture. 5 The optimal formulation of a nanoemulsion was found to have 9% of neem oil and 5.25% of polysorbate 20. At a concentration of 200 mg L −1 of this nanoemulsion, a 100% parasitic mortality against Saprolegnia parasitica was observed.…”