Advances in Nanopesticides: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021) | Viewed by 11889

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Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
Interests: Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Magnetic Framework Composites (MFCs); sol-gel, ceramics, metallic, magnetic, mesoporous nanoparticles and nanopowders; enzymes bio-conjugation on surfaces and particles
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanopesticides are a novel class of plant protection products expected to bring many benefits to the current technology, such as better solubility, controlled release, less amount of pesticide used, protection against early degradation, improved uptake, and increased effectiveness. Nanopesticides have also been recently included in the IUPAC Top10 chemistry innovations that could change the world, and developing this trending field of research could provide a huge step forward to such a class of nanomaterials, which are already enjoying a boost in interest.

Scientists of diverse backgrounds (material science, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, biology) are encouraged to contribute with cutting-edge research in this Special Issue of Nanomaterials, dedicated to the development of nanopesticides, their interaction with plants, and their applications to model and real cases.

Dr. Raffaele Riccò
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanopesticides
  • plant protection
  • nanoemulsions
  • nanoparticles
  • agriculture

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 4311 KiB  
Article
A Green Nanostructured Pesticide to Control Tomato Bacterial Speck Disease
by Daniele Schiavi, Rosa Balbi, Stefano Giovagnoli, Emidio Camaioni, Ermelinda Botticella, Francesco Sestili and Giorgio Mariano Balestra
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(7), 1852; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11071852 - 18 Jul 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3995
Abstract
Bacterial speck disease, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst), is one of the most pervasive biological adversities in tomato cultivation, in both industrial and in table varieties. In this work synthesis, biochemical and antibacterial properties of a novel organic nanostructured pesticide composed [...] Read more.
Bacterial speck disease, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst), is one of the most pervasive biological adversities in tomato cultivation, in both industrial and in table varieties. In this work synthesis, biochemical and antibacterial properties of a novel organic nanostructured pesticide composed of chitosan hydrochloride (CH) as active ingredient, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as nanocarriers and starch as excipient were evaluated. In order to study the possibility of delivering CH, the effects of two different types of starches, extracted from a high amylose bread wheat (high amylose starch—HA Starch) and from a control genotype (standard starch—St Starch), were investigated. Nanostructured microparticles (NMP) were obtained through the spray-drying technique, revealing a CH loading capacity proximal to 50%, with a CH release of 30% for CH-CNC-St Starch NMP and 50% for CH-CNC-HA Starch NMP after 24 h. Both NMP were able to inhibit bacterial growth in vitro when used at 1% w/v. Moreover, no negative effects on vegetative growth were recorded when NMP were foliar applied on tomato plants. Proposed nanostructured pesticides showed the capability of diminishing Pst epiphytical survival during time, decreasing disease incidence and severity (from 45% to 49%), with results comparable to one of the most used cupric salt (hydroxide), pointing out the potential use of CH-CNC-Starch NMP as a sustainable and innovative ally in Pst control strategies. Full article
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15 pages, 5371 KiB  
Article
Mycosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Screened Trichoderma Isolates and Their Antifungal Activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
by Ali Athafah Tomah, Iman Sabah Abd Alamer, Bin Li and Jing-Ze Zhang
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(10), 1955; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10101955 - 30 Sep 2020
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3567
Abstract
To control the disease caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a total of 15 isolates of the Trichoderma species was screened for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Among them, the highest yield occurred in the synthesis of AgNPs using a cell-free aqueous filtrate [...] Read more.
To control the disease caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a total of 15 isolates of the Trichoderma species was screened for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Among them, the highest yield occurred in the synthesis of AgNPs using a cell-free aqueous filtrate of T.virens HZA14 producing gliotoxin. The synthetic AgNPs were charactered by SEM, EDS, TEM, XRD, and FTIR. Electron microscopy studies revealed that the size of AgNPs ranged from 5–50 nm and had spherical and oval shapes with smooth surfaces. Prepared AgNPs interacted with protein, carbohydrate and heterocyclic compound molecules, and especially, interaction patterns of AgNPs with the gliotoxin molecule were proposed. The antifungal activity assays demonstrated that percentage inhibition of the prepared AgNPs was 100, 93.8 and 100% against hyphal growth, sclerotial formation, and myceliogenic germination of sclerotia at a concentration of 200 μg/mL, respectively. The direct interaction between nanoparticles and fungal cells, including AgNPs’ contact, accumulation, lamellar fragment production and micropore or fissure formation on fungal cell walls, was revealed by SEM and EDS. These will extend our understanding of the mechanisms of AgNPs’ action for preventing diversified fungal disease. Full article
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20 pages, 3792 KiB  
Article
Sonication-Assisted Production of Fosetyl-Al Nanocrystals: Investigation of Human Toxicity and In Vitro Antibacterial Efficacy against Xylella fastidiosa
by Francesca Baldassarre, Giuseppe Tatulli, Viviana Vergaro, Stefania Mariano, Valeria Scala, Concetta Nobile, Nicoletta Pucci, Luciana Dini, Stefania Loreti and Giuseppe Ciccarella
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(6), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10061174 - 16 Jun 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3053
Abstract
Recently, there is a growing demand in sustainable phytopathogens control research. Nanotechnology provides several tools such as new pesticides formulations, antibacterial nanomaterials and smart delivery systems. Metal nano-oxides and different biopolymers have been exploited in order to develop nanopesticides which can offer a [...] Read more.
Recently, there is a growing demand in sustainable phytopathogens control research. Nanotechnology provides several tools such as new pesticides formulations, antibacterial nanomaterials and smart delivery systems. Metal nano-oxides and different biopolymers have been exploited in order to develop nanopesticides which can offer a targeted solution minimizing side effects on environment and human health. This work proposed a nanotechnological approach to obtain a new formulation of systemic fungicide fosetyl-Al employing ultrasonication assisted production of water dispersible nanocrystals. Moreover, chitosan was applicated as a coating agent aiming a synergistic antimicrobial effect between biopolymer and fungicide. Fosetyl-Al nanocrystals have been characterized by morphological and physical-chemical analysis. Nanotoxicological investigation was carried out on human keratinocytes cells through cells viability test and ultrastructural analysis. In vitro planktonic growth, biofilm production and agar dilution assays have been conducted on two Xylella fastidiosa subspecies. Fosetyl-Al nanocrystals resulted very stable over time and less toxic respect to conventional formulation. Finally, chitosan-based fosetyl-Al nanocrystals showed an interesting antibacterial activity against Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca and Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa. Full article
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