Insights for the control of dried-fruit beetle Carpophilus hemipterus (Nitidulidae) using rosemary essential oil loaded in chitosan nanoparticles

Emerging trends to replace pesticides with nanomaterials: Recent experiences and future perspectives for ecofriendly environment

Despite the widespread usage to safeguard crops and manage pests, pesticides have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. The necessity to find sustainable agricultural techniques and meet the growing demand for food production has spurred the quest for pesticide substitutes other than traditional ones. The unique qualities of nanotechnology, including its high surface area-to-volume ratio, controlled release, and better stability, have made it a promising choice for pest management. Over the past ten years, there has been a noticeable growth in the usage of nanomaterials for pest management; however, concerns about their possible effects on the environment and human health have also surfaced. The purpose of this review paper is to give a broad overview of the worldwide trends and environmental effects of using nanomaterials in place of pesticides. The various types of nanomaterials, their characteristics, and their possible application in crop protection are covered. The limits of the current regulatory frameworks for nanomaterials in agriculture are further highlighted in this review. Additionally, it describes how standard testing procedures must be followed to assess the effects of nanomaterials on the environment and human health before their commercialization. In order to establish sustainable and secure nanotechnology-based pest control techniques, the review concludes by highlighting the significance of taking into account the possible hazards and benefits of nanomaterials for pest management and the necessity of an integrated approach. It also emphasizes the importance of more investigation into the behavior and environmental fate of nanomaterials to guarantee their safe and efficient application in agriculture.

Chitosan as a Control Tool for Insect Pest Management: A Review

Chitosan, a polysaccharide derived from the deacetylation of chitin, is a versatile and eco-friendly biopolymer with several applications. Chitosan is recognized for its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, beyond its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumoral activities. Thanks to its properties, chitosan is used in many fields including medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics, textile, nutrition, and agriculture. This review focuses on chitosan's role as a tool in insect pest control, particularly for agriculture, foodstuff, and public health pests. Different formulations, including plain chitosan, chitosan coating, chitosan with nematodes, chitosan's modifications, and chitosan nanoparticles, are explored. Biological assays using these formulations highlighted the use of chitosan-essential oil nanoparticles as an effective tool for pest control, due to their enhanced mobility and essential oils' prolonged release over time. Chitosan's derivatives with alkyl, benzyl, and acyl groups showed good activity against insect pests due to improved solubility and enhanced activity compared to plain chitosan. Thus, the purpose of this review is to provide the reader with updated information concerning the use and potential applications of chitosan formulations as pest control tools.