Photostability assessment of natural pyrethrins using halloysite nanotube carrier system

Natural pyrethrins are one of the most used pesticides and insect repellents employed for domestic or agronomic use. However, they are highly hydrophobic and suffer from insolubility in water media and ready decomposition by photochemical, and oxidative actions. These aspects hamper their long-term...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied clay science 2022-11, Vol.230, p.106719, Article 106719
Main Authors: Massaro, M., Pieraccini, S., Guernelli, S., Dindo, M.L., Francati, S., Liotta, L.F., Colletti, G.C., Masiero, S., Riela, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Halloysite
Nanopesticides
Photoprotection
Pyrethrins
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Summary:Natural pyrethrins are one of the most used pesticides and insect repellents employed for domestic or agronomic use. However, they are highly hydrophobic and suffer from insolubility in water media and ready decomposition by photochemical, and oxidative actions. These aspects hamper their long-term storage and applicability. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a nanomaterial based on the loading of pyrethrum extract (PE) into natural, low-cost, and eco-compatible halloysite nanotubes (Hal). The Hal/PE nanomaterial was thoroughly characterized, and the morphology was imaged by TEM and SEM investigations. Release experiments showed a slow release of pyrethrins from the carrier, and photodegradation studies, both in solution and in a solid state, highlighted that the pyrethrum extract in the Hal/PE nanomaterial showed high stability to UV irradiation, as proved by UPLC-ESI-MS, UV–vis, and circular dichroism measurements. Furthermore, to check if the obtained nanomaterial possesses the insecticidal activity of the pyrethrum, in vivo tests on two model insects, Galleria. mellonella and Tenebrio molitor, were performed. The pyrethrins loaded onto Hal showed the same activity as standard pyrethrins, at half dose compared to them. [Display omitted] •Pyrethrum extract (PE) was loaded inside halloysite nanotubes (Hal).•Release experiments showed a slow release of pyrethrins from Hal/PE nanomaterial.•Hal/PE nanomaterial showed high stability to UV irradiation as proved by several techniques.•The PE loaded onto Hal retain the pesticide activity on insects as standard PE.
ISSN:0169-1317
1872-9053
DOI:10.1016/j.clay.2022.106719