Electrospun Micro/Nanofibers as Controlled Release Systems for Pheromones of Bactrocera oleae and Prays oleae

Abstract

New systems for the controlled release of 1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and (Z)-7-tetradecenal, the sex pheromones of olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, and olive moth, Prays oleae, respectively, were developed utilizing electrospun micro/nanofiber matrices from inexpensive, biodegradable polymers, namely polycaprolactone, cellulose acetate and polyhydroxybutyrate. The incorporation of the pheromones in 5, 10 and 20% w/w in the electrospinning polymer blends allowed for the production of fiber mats with variable loading levels and release rates, ensuring however in all cases the release of pheromones for more than 16 weeks. Laboratory bioassays and field trapping tests showed that the fiber mats obtained from electrospinning of polyhydroxybutyrate solution containing 5% w/w 1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and polycaprolactone solution containing 5% w/w (Z)-7-tetradecenal were almost twice as effective in attracting B. oleae and P. oleae males, respectively, in comparison to the positive controls used.

Nano/microfibers of EVA copolymer obtained by solution blow spinning: Processing, solution properties, and pheromone release application

“…These results are in agreement with the results obtained using other spinning methods with different polymers and pheromones . Fibers with smaller diameters would have greater resistance due to the Griffith criterion, and a reduction of their resistivity in relation to the airflow/storm caused by the Knudsen effect .…”

“…This amount would be well below the amount needed for the commonly used dispensing mechanisms, which total 0.5 g −1 day −1 per 10,000 m 2 of planting area. The use of polymers as pheromone carriers has been used with polymers such as cellulose acetate, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyvinylpyrrolidone, styrene–butadiene–styrene copolymer, PA6, and poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyric acid] . The most employed approach for producing these polymers is electrospinning.…”

Synthesis of Dacus Pheromone, 1,7-Dioxaspiro[5.5]Undecane and Its Encapsulation in PLLA Microspheres for Their Potential Use as Controlled Release Devices

“…This was attributed to the rate of 1,7-dioxaspiro [5.5]undecane released from the complex, since an amount of water was crucial in order to be able for the pheromone to be released from the complex. Kikionis et al [14] used typical polymers; i.e., polycaprolactone (PCL), cellulose acetate (CA) and poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid] of natural origin (PHB) in order to prepare nanofibers incorporating 1,7-dioxaspiro [5.5]undecane (DSU) by electrospinning. It was found that all fibers released DSU in the first two weeks with an exception to PCL where DSU release lasted 4 weeks.…”

Citronella oil‐loaded electrospun micro/nanofibrous matrices as sustained repellency systems for the Asian tiger mosquitoAedes albopictus

“…In the context of our continued investigation into the development of electrospun fibrous systems for various applications, we explored the potential of functional micro/nanofibrous matrices as systems for the sustained release of the highly volatile insect repellent citronella oil. Herein, we describe the production of different single‐ and triple‐layer electrospun nonwoven matrices based on cellulose acetate and polyvinylpyrrolidone incorporating citronella oil, the determination of the release profile of citronella oil from the micro/nanofabricated mats and the evaluation of their repellency against A. albopictus mosquitoes.…”