Essential oil‐loaded bio‐nanomaterials for sustainable agricultural applications

Abstract

The excessive and indiscriminate use of synthetic agrochemicals and toxic fumigants has become essential in the maximization of agricultural production worldwide. Despite their beneficial roles in the field and during storage, they produce environmental pollution, increasing pesticide/herbicide resistance and destruction of beneficial insects, and placing the health of producers and consumers at risk. This scenario has enabled the development of new scientific approaches focused on alternatives and ecofriendly and safer forms of pest management including the use of botanical products such as plant extracts and essential oils (EOs) with insecticidal action. The application of EOs for pest control presents several advantages: low toxicity and low persistence; biodegradability; high selectivity; no harmful effects on people or crops; and low environmental impact during and after use. Unfortunately, EOs are biologically unstable since they are easily degraded under the action of pH, oxygen, light and moderate temperatures. Generally, they present low aqueous solubility and high volatility. In this sense, nanotechnology represents a potential solution: the loading of EOs in nanostructured systems. The use of biopolymers as nanocarriers not only provides the controlled release of the active ingredient, but also offers the following benefits: biodegradability, biocompatibility, environmental safety, low toxicity and competitive production costs. This review aims at describing the most recent preparation techniques and characterization based on EO-loaded bio-nanomaterials. Also, this review highlights studies of novel bio-nanoformulations and their potential roles in agricultural practices to promote sustainable and ecofriendly cultivation. Finally, we summarize the commercial challenges and limitations related to these promising bio-nanoformulations.

Essential Oil-Based Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents in the Food Industry

“…Specifically, regarding the regulatory issues, there are some safety indications on nanoscience and nanotechnology established by the scientific committee of the European Food Safety Agency (2009) for humans [ 1 ] (EFSA, 2020 [ 168 ]), and in 2011, a guidance of the use of nanomaterials in animal feed by the FDA (Government of the United States, n.d.). According to Brazil, a robust international regulatory framework for the evaluation of nanotechnology-based products is necessary for approval of food and feed containing nanoparticles.…”

“…Recently, the interest in “green food products” based on natural compounds and minimal processing of edible products [ 1 , 2 ] has gained attention in determining products’ acceptance [ 3 ]. These characteristics are crucial factors that reflect the current trends and economic growth in this sector [ 4 ], which is estimated to exceed USD 13 billion by 2024, according to reports from Global Market Insights, Inc. (Selbyville, DE, USA) [ 5 ].…”

Controlling Stored Products’ Pests with Plant Secondary Metabolites: A Review

“…Loading EOs in nanostructured systems represents a potential solution to their sensitivity to pH, oxygen, light and moderate temperatures. The use of biopolymers as nanocarriers provides the controlled release of the active ingredient, also ameliorating the issues of biodegradability, biocompatibility, environmental safety, low toxicity and competitive production costs [230]. Other than EO plant-based products (powders, extracts, essential oils, etc.)…”

In focus: latest development of nanotechnology in Latin America

“…In this In Focus issue, Menossi et al discussed the importance of using natural medicinal compounds, in particular essential oils (EOs) extracted from plants, as a pest control measure in the agricultural sector. 6 There are a few key advantages using EOs, including their biodegradability, high selectivity, low harmful effects on humans or crops, and low environmental impact during and after use. However, these natural compounds are biologically unstable because they can degrade under light, changes in pH and temperature, and be easily oxidized in the presence of oxygen.…”