Toxicity of certain essential oils loaded on silica nanoparticles against tribolium castaneum (coleoptera: tenebrionidae)‎ adults

Abstract EN

Nano silica was chemically prepared from rice husk and characterized using x-ray diffractometer and electron dispersive analysis instruments.

the data indicated an amorphous structure with 96.9% of silica.

in addition, the synthesized nanoparticles were coated with essential oils (EOs) ; either clove or peppermint (20%) to form solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs/EO).

scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation indicated that, SLNs/EO was almost spherical.

furthermore, the fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of these formulations showed asymmetric vibration for Si-O, Si-OH as well as bands of alkyl, hydroxyl and carbonyl groups of EOs.

Subsequently, toxicity of EOs and their SLNs/EO formulations were assessed against adults of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

the mortality was recorded after 5, 7, 10 and 14 days of exposure.

the data showed that, SLNs/clove was more toxic than clove oil alone (4.86-folds) after 7 days.

on the other hand, no significant differences in the total protein, carbohydrate contents and percentages of germination were observed between treatments and control group.

these findings suggest that, SLNs/EO could serve as alternative potent insecticides for controlling stored product insects.

however, further researches are required to improve SLNs/EO efficacy and investigate their environmental impact.