Conventional agrochemicals towards nano-biopesticides: an overview on recent advances

Abstract

Pesticides are classified into several groups based on their structure, including fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, bactericides, and rodenticides. Pesticides are toxic to both humans and pests. For pest control, a very small amount of pesticides reach their target pests. Therefore, nearly all pesticides move through the environment and exert adverse effects on beneficial biota and public health. These chemicals pollute the water, soil, and atmosphere of the ecosystem. Agricultural workers in greenhouses and open fields, exterminators of house pests, and workers in the pesticide industry are occupationally exposed to pesticides. Pesticide exposure in the general population primarily happens through the consumption of food and water contaminated with pesticide residues; however, substantial exposure can also occur outside or inside the house. Currently, intelligent, responsive, biodegradable, and biocompatible materials have attracted considerable interest for the formulation of green, safe, and efficient pesticides. It was indicated that utilizing nanotechnology to design and prepare targeted pesticides with an environmentally responsive controlled release via chemical modifications and compounds offers great potential for creating new formulations. Furthermore, biopesticides include microbial pesticides, which are naturally happening biochemical pesticides. In addition, pesticidal substances generated by plants with added genetic materials, i.e., plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs), have emerged. Based on the foregoing evidence, various types of pesticides are summarized in this review for the first time. Here, new pesticides including nano-pesticides and biopesticides are discussed while focusing on the most recent findings on targeted and safe nano-formulated biopesticides and nano-pesticides. Graphical Abstract

Nanotechnology-Based Bioactive Antifeedant for Plant Protection

“…Moreover, it is in line with that recommended by Zhao et al [9] and Lade et al [36], who state that the important aspects needed in the development of nanobiopesticides, especially in antifeedant nano-delivery strategies, are: (i) development of a water-based dispersion system, (ii) leaf-targeted deposition and dose transfer mechanism of nano-delivery, (iii) increased bioavailability mechanism of nano-based formulations, (iv) natural degradation and biosafety of residues. Moreover, advances in the application of nanomaterial formulation in pesticides have indicated that utilizing nanotechnology to design and prepare targeted pesticides with an environmentally responsive controlled release via chemical modifications and compounds offers great potential for creating new formulations [110,111].…”

“…responsive controlled release via chemical modifications and compounds offers great potential for creating new formulations [110,111]. This antifeedant delivery by micelle formulation is still considered premature to accommodate the abovementioned desired properties.…”

Encapsulation of Eucalyptus largiflorens Essential Oil by Mesoporous Silicates for Effective Control of the Cowpea Weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

“…Micro- and nanoencapsulated formulations based on controlled-release techniques have recently been introduced to enhance the persistence and possible application of plant essential oils for pest management [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. For example, the toxicity of gelatin-based microencapsulated essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Thymus vulgaris L. against the larvae of Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), were reported [ 58 ].…”

Occupational exposure to pesticides in farmworkers and the oxidative markers

“…Pesticides can be absorbed by humans and animals through skin, inhalation, and ingestion (Rostamabadi et al, 2019). Hence, safe and targeted delivery of pesticides is a crucial way to decrease side effects (Abdollahdokht et al, 2022). The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that exposure to pesticides, in developing countries, has doubled in the last 10 years (Shadboorestan et al, 2016).…”