Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ximing Zhong, Hongjian Wen, Runxin Zeng, Hongkai Deng, Guofeng Su, Hongjun Zhou, Xinhua Zhou
Summary: In this study, zein was used to modify mesoporous silica as nanocarriers for loading avermectin, resulting in pH and enzyme-responsive nanopesticides. These nanopesticides exhibited high pesticide loading capacity, enhanced photostability, remarkable pesticidal efficacy, and improved wetting and adhesion properties on cucumber foliar surfaces.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Long Chen, Yuanxiong Lin, Hongjun Zhou, Li Hao, Huayao Chen, Xinhua Zhou
Summary: Polyamine-modified zein (AM-zein) was synthesized to improve stability as a nanocarrier, enhance electrostatic force, and prepare AVM-loaded nanoparticles with high positive charge. The nanoparticles showed better leaf affinity and UV barrier effect. Additionally, they demonstrated significantly lower toxicity against zebrafish.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Esref Demir, Seyithan Kansiz, Mehmet Dogan, Onder Topel, Gokhan Akkoyunlu, Muhammed Yusuf Kandur, Fatma Turna Demir
Summary: In order to understand the impacts of nanopesticides on human health and agriculture, it is important to investigate the interactions between nanopesticides and edible plants. This study used Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to generate evidence for the toxic/genotoxic properties of different nanopesticides. The results demonstrate the potential toxic/genotoxic effects of nanopesticides through their impact on cellular internalization and gene expression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yuan Yuan, Madison Fomich, Vermont P. Dia, Tong Wang
Summary: The aim of this research was to enhance the ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) activity of zein and gelatin hydrolysates (ZH and GH) by succinylation modification. Modified hydrolysates (SA modified ZH and OSA modified GH) decreased the average Feret's diameter of ice crystal from 50.2 μm to 28.8 μm and 29.5 μm, respectively. Succinylated samples also exhibited altered surface hydrophobicity, potentially contributing to their enhanced IRI activity. This study demonstrates that succinylation of food-derived protein hydrolysates can improve their IRI activity.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vanessa Takeshita, Bruno Teixeira de Sousa, Ana Cristina Preisler, Lucas Braganca Carvalho, Anderson do Espirito Santo Pereira, Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo, Giliardi Dalazen, Halley Caixeta Oliveira, Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto
Summary: Nanoparticles loaded with atrazine exhibit better weed control efficacy with faster absorption rates and higher inhibition of photosystem II activity compared to the commercial formulation. The nanoencapsulation potentiates post-emergent herbicidal activity of atrazine, particularly in field conditions, providing a two-fold increase in weed control compared to commercial atrazine. The design of this carrier system enables improvements in herbicide performance in the field with reduced risk of environmental losses due to faster absorption.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. Massaro, S. Pieraccini, S. Guernelli, M. L. Dindo, S. Francati, L. F. Liotta, G. C. Colletti, S. Masiero, S. Riela
Summary: A natural pyrethrin nanomaterial based on halloysite nanotubes was synthesized and characterized. This nanomaterial showed high stability to UV irradiation and slow release of pyrethrins, and exhibited the same insecticidal activity at a lower dose compared to standard pyrethrins.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Weilan Huang, Hua Pan, Zhongxuan Hu, Meijing Wang, Litao Wu, Fang Zhang
Summary: Integrating toxic fungicide into a functional stimuli-responsive nanosystem can effectively improve the fungus control specificity and reduce the effect on non-target organisms.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Fatima Hameedat, Soraia Pinto, Joana Marques, Sofia Dias, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: Peptides have great potential for treating chronic conditions and there are more than 80 peptides available in the global market. However, most of the marketed peptide drugs are administered intravenously or subcutaneously due to their fast degradation and limited absorption through non-invasive routes. In this study, candidate protein delivery systems for pulmonary administration of peptides were developed and characterized. The targeted PEGylated zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) showed promising results in enhancing insulin permeability and are suitable as peptide carriers for pulmonary delivery.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Pengji Yao, Aihua Zou, Zhenfen Tian, Wenyan Meng, Xialun Fang, Tong Wu, Jiagao Cheng
Summary: A temperature-responsive nanocarrier for imidacloprid (IMI) was successfully constructed using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as the core and paraffin wax (PW) as the outer layer. The nanocarrier exhibited sustained release of IMI at high temperatures, leading to increased insecticidal activity. This formulation shows potential applications in high-temperature areas such as Turpan in Xinjiang Province.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Temoor Ahmed, Muhammad Noman, Jinyan Luo, Sher Muhammad, Muhammad Shahid, Md Arshad Ali, Muchen Zhang, Bin Li
Summary: Chitosan-magnesium (CS-Mg) nanocomposite was synthesized using green synthesis method and exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against two rice pathogens. The nanocomposite showed promising potential as nanopesticides in plant disease management, inhibiting the growth of pathogens and damaging their cell structure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhiming Gao, Gaiting Chen, Wei Lu, Yuehan Wu, Bing Hu, Longquan Xu, Yapeng Fang, Katsuyoshi Nishinari, Glyn O. Phillips
Summary: This research compared the main zein fractions and found differences in their formation, surface adsorption, and emulsifying properties of anti-solvent-induced particles. The gamma-zein fraction displayed superior interfacial properties and emulsifying capabilities, making it a potential new application strategy for zein.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xinzi Fang, Qian Zhang, Beibei Yu, Bao Wang, Guang Yang, Bin Wang, Zan Hua
Summary: This study successfully synthesized adhesive plant oil-based emulsions as nanocarriers for nanopesticides using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) emulsion copolymerization, which exhibited outstanding environmental tolerance and superior bioactivity. Emulsions with the best adhesion properties showed the highest retention capability of pesticide upon rinsing. Furthermore, the nanopesticide with adhesive plant oil-based emulsion as nanocarriers demonstrated excellent environmental tolerance and bioactivity. This study highlights the feasibility of utilizing adhesive plant oil-based emulsions as nanocarriers for the fabrication of superior nanopesticides.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Iqra Mubeen, Manar Fawzi Bani Mfarrej, Zarafshan Razaq, Shehzad Iqbal, Syed Atif Hasan Naqvi, Fahad Hakim, Walid F. A. Mosa, Mahmoud Moustafa, Yuan Fang, Bin Li
Summary: Agrochemicals, such as inorganic pesticides and fertilizers, have negative environmental impacts due to their widespread use. Scientists worldwide are adopting green technologies to ensure a safe and sustainable food supply. Nanotechnologies have the potential to create more effective and environmentally friendly insecticides, improving crop protection and reducing the need for conventional pesticides.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hongxia Tan, Hongyuan Zhou, Ting Guo, Jiaxin Li, Chi Zhang, Shuo Wang, Yuhao Zhang, Liang Ma
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different extraction methods on the conversion and formation of hidden ZEN. The acidic extraction condition promoted the formation of hidden ZEN, while the alkaline extraction condition resulted in the conversion of hidden ZEN into free ZEN. This research is of great significance for controlling hidden ZEN during zein extraction and maize processing.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ahlam G. Khalifa, Walaa A. Moselhy, Hanaa M. Mohammed, Fatma Khalil, Mohamed Shaban, El-Shaymaa El-Nahass, Hessah Mohammed Al-Muzafar, Kamal Adel Amin, Khaled A. Abdou
Summary: This study investigated the effects of nano-formulations of deltamethrin on antioxidant levels, oxidative stress, and behavior in male albino rats. The use of inorganic metal and polymeric nano-carriers significantly reduced the neurobehavioral toxicity of deltamethrin compared to the control group. The study suggests that nano-formulations can decrease the health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use.