Environmental Safety Assessments of Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded with Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Abstract

Lipid nanoparticles (LN) composed of biodegradable lipids and produced by green methods are candidates for the encapsulation of pesticides, potentially contributing to decreasing their release in the environment. From a safety-by-design concept, this work proposes LN for the encapsulation of insecticide active ingredients (AI). However, given the complexity of nanoparticles, ecotoxicological studies are often controversial, and a detailed investigation of their effects on the environment is required. Accordingly, this work aimed to produce and characterize LN containing the insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) and evaluate their safety to crops (Solanum lycopersicum and Zea mays), soil invertebrates (Folsomia candida and Eisenia fetida), and soil microbial parameters. The average particle size for LN-loaded with LC (LN–LC) was 165.4 ± 2.34 nm, with narrow size distribution and negative charge (−38.7 ± 0.954 mV). LN were able to encapsulate LC with an entrapment efficacy of 98.44 ± 0.04%, maintaining the stability for at least 4 months. The LN–LC showed no risk to the growth of crops and reproduction of the invertebrates. The effect on microbial parameters showed that the activity of certain soil microbial parameters can be inhibited or stimulated by the presence of LN at highest concentrations, probably by changing the pH of soil or by the intrinsic properties of LN.

The Impact of 2-Ketones Released from Solid Lipid Nanoparticles on Growth Modulation and Antioxidant System of Lactuca sativa

“…SLNs have several advantages compared with other polymeric nanoencapsulation techniques; i.e., they reduce losses through leaching, volatilization, and degradation [20]. This study formulated SLNs with glyceryl tristearate as a solid lipid due to its high biocompatibility and lower toxicity [26,27].…”

“…Particularly, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) (Size: 50 to 1000 nm) contain a lipid core (0.1-30% and solid at room temperature) and surfactant (0.5-5%), which is adequate for the inclusion of hydrophobic compounds [18]. SLNs are systems that allow the sustainable release of hydrophobic compounds and the reduction of compound losses associated with the leaching and degradation produced by environmental factors [19,20]. Recently, SLNs have been widely applied in food science and technology due to their remarkable stability, showing their efficacy for developing new agricultural products due to competitive cost and easy manufacture [20].…”

“…SLNs are systems that allow the sustainable release of hydrophobic compounds and the reduction of compound losses associated with the leaching and degradation produced by environmental factors [19,20]. Recently, SLNs have been widely applied in food science and technology due to their remarkable stability, showing their efficacy for developing new agricultural products due to competitive cost and easy manufacture [20]. Nevertheless, according to our knowledge, there is no background on the physiological impact of the antioxidant system of 2-nonanone and 2-tridecanone released from SLNs in L. sativa seedlings.…”

Editorial for the Special Issue “Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation”

“…Although the public is not familiar with nanopesticides, they have positive attitudes toward their future development and support labeling nanoscale ingredients on products [10]. Ganilho et al also assessed the environmental risks of lipid nanoparticles loaded with lambda-cyhalothrin [11].…”