Biochemical, Histological Changes, Protein Electrophoretic Pattern, and Field Application of CuPb–Ferrite/TiO₂ Nanocomposites for Controlling Terrestrial Gastropod Eobania vermiculata (Müller)

Abstract

Eobania vermiculata is a hazardous snail that can damage ornamental plants and cause significant harm to plant sections in Egyptian areas. Herein, the molluscicidal activity of CuPb−Ferrite/TiO 2 and TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) against E. vermiculata was evaluated using the poisonous bait method. LC50 values were determined using the leaf dipping and contact methods, with values of 631.23 and 1703.49 ppm for CuPb−Ferrite/TiO 2 and 193.67 and 574.97 ppm for TiO 2 . Exposure to both NPs resulted in a significant increase in the biochemical parameters of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as a decrease in total protein (TP) percentage of E. vermiculata. Histological examinations revealed that many digestive cells had ruptured, and their contents had been lost, while the foot's epithelial layer became ruptured. The average reduction was 66.36% for CuPb−Ferrite/TiO 2 NPs compared to the recommended molluscicide, Neomyl, with a 70.23% reduction in the field application. Electrophoretic separation of total protein using sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after treatment with LC50 concentrations of TiO 2 and CuPb−Ferrite/TiO 2 demonstrated the potency of these synthetic compounds as molluscicidal agents. Therefore, we recommend the use of CuPb−Ferrite/TiO 2 NPs as a novel land snail molluscicide because it is safe to use, and the baits are arranged to not affect irrigation water, with a high molluscicidal effect.