Our research shed light on the perspective of formulation technology regarding its responsibility to provide phyto-insecticides that are worthy of research into potential novel applications. There has been an increase in interest in using nanoemulsion as a new formulation in a variety of sectors during the last several decades. Boswellia sacra essential oil (Fam: Burseraceae) from the resin of frankincense trees has been recently proposed as a promising ingredient in a new generation of botanical insecticides. Frankincense nanoemulsion was formulated in 5% ratios comprising frankincense oil, surfactants, and water. A frankincense nanoemulsion was prepared using a high-energy ultra-sonication process and characterized by dynamic light scattering transmission electron microscopy surface tension, viscosity, and zeta potential value. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify the chemical profiles of frankincense essential oil. Furthermore, insecticidal effects against second instar larvae of the spiny bollworm, Earias insulana, as well as their latent effects on the larvae were studied. In the present study, the formulation was a good nanoemulsion. The surface tension was 53.69, the viscosity was 4.76 cPs, the zeta potential was-10 mV, and the size distribution was 41.30 nm. The polydispersity index (PDI) of the nanoemulsion was found to be 0.26, and the morphology of the frankincense nanoemulsion was visualized in a spherical shape. The main constituents identified in frankincense oil were α-pinene (15.52%); monolinolenin (12.92%); and geranylgeranyl acetate (9.99%). The results showed significant insecticidal activity against the larval stage and considerably decreased the pupation percentage with increasing the volume of the frankincense nanoemulsion. On the other hand, the latent effects of the frankincense nanoemulsion on E. insulana resulted in a higher prolongation of larval and pupal durations as well as a significant reduction in the weight of larvae and pupae of E. insulana. Additionally, frankincense nanoemulsion dramatically influenced the adult emergence percentage. It also caused a significantly lower hatchability percentage compared to the untreated control. The concentrations used and the types of mating combination have a significant effect on the fecundity of E. insulana. This novel frankincense nanoemulsion formulation could be used in strategies to control the spiny bollworm on cotton plants.

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Objectives: Tabernaemontana pandacaqui is used in Indonesian folklore as a cure for ulcers, inflammation, skin sores and stomach pain, it was recently grown in Egypt for ornamental purposes. It can host endophytes which produce variety of secondary metabolites of potential biological activities. Based on traditional use of this plant, it was essential to study endophytes living in this host plant and evaluate their phytochemical and biological values. Methods: T. pandacaqui leaves were used as the microbial host material for the isolated fungus which was mass cultured and extracted. Fungal ethyl acetate extract was analyzed with GC-MS. Quantitative and qualitative identification of the compounds was performed based on the comparison of their retention times and mass spectra with those of the NIST, WILLY library data of the GC-MS system. Its antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS assays and expressed as Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) and the cytotoxic screening against four cell lines was carried out using SRB assay. Results: The isolated fungus (TMP16) was identified as Aspergillus species. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of high percentage of nitrogenous compounds (75.38%) of which porphyrin derivatives dominate (42.85%). The fungal extract gave antioxidant scavenging power of 881.49 ± 44.6 and 866.86 ± 50.0 μM TE/ mg extract (TEAC) in both DPPH and ABTS assays respectively. While it showed no cytotoxic activity against A-549, HepG2, PC-3 and MCF-7 cell lines with the used concentrations. Conclusion: Ethyl acetate extract of (TMP16), isolated from T. pandacaqui leaves for the first time, exhibited a significant antioxidant activity which may be attributed to high percentage of porphyrin derivatives.

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