Correlation of the Diffusion Parameters and the Biological Activities in the Formulation of Pinus halepensis Essential Oil in Phosphogypsum Material

Abstract

The use of natural biopesticides, specifically essential oils, is being explored as an alternative solution to protect stored foodstuffs. This study focuses on a formulation of phosphogypsum–Pinus halepensis essential oil as a pesticidal product. First, the essential oil chemical composition was determined using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while the phosphogypsum (waste from the phosphate mining industry) was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis; thus, physico-chemical properties and heavy metal contents were determined. In a second step, the preparation of the formulation consists in grafting the essential oil on the phosphogypsum (adsorption) in a cylindrical geometric shape adapted to the models applied in the bioprocesses of storage. The study of essential oil transfers in the material in the case of desorption along the axis (Oz) was carried out using analytical and numerical models of the Fickian diffusion process to understand the behavior of the oil and determine physicochemical parameters such as diffusivity (D) and evaporation flux (F). By using statistical methods such as experimental design and principal component analysis, these parameters can help explain the mechanisms involved in the insecticidal activities against the primary pest of lentils (Bruchus signaticornis) and in the parameters of lentil seed germination.

Assessment and Optimization of the Insecticidal Properties of γ-Al2O3 Nanoparticles Derived from Mentha pulegium By-Products to Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Carob Beetle)

“…The adjusted mortality rate of the treated insects was determined using the following formula [ 51 ]: …”

Exploring the Potent Anticancer Activity of Essential Oils and Their Bioactive Compounds: Mechanisms and Prospects for Future Cancer Therapy

“…This process continues for the formation of C 25 sesterpenes, C 30 triterpenes, and C 40 carotenes [33]. The boiling point of terpenes increases with the number of carbon atoms in the molecule, which means higher mass molecules are less volatile [34]. It is important to mention that essential oils are typically obtained through steam distillation or hydro-distillation methods, resulting in a high concentration of monoterpenes.…”