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Novel nanoinsecticides based on essential oils to control the German cockroach

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Abstract

The physicochemical characterization and residual insecticidal activity of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) nanoparticles containing essential oils (EOs) from geranium (Geranium sp.) and bergamot (Citrus reticulata L.) were evaluated against Blatella germanica for 1 year. The nanoparticles’ size increased during the storage time from <235 to <450 nm; the EO content decreased approximately 50 %, and the abundance of the major components did not show any differences between pre- and post-formulation. The surface characteristics of nanoparticles were analyzed by transmission electronic microscopy. The EO nanoparticles produced a notable increase in the residual contact toxicity apparently because of the slow and persistent release of the active terpenes. In addition, the nanoformulation enhanced the EO contact toxicity. The results indicate that these novel systems could be developed as control agents against German cockroaches.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Universidad Nacional del Sur and CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas) for the financial support. We also thank Lic. Diego Marccovechio and Dr. Claudio Delrieux for providing the processing of the TEM images.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FIA Laboratory, Analytical Chemistry Section, INQUISUR-CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Av. Alem 1253, B8000CPB, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Jorge Omar Werdin González & Beatriz Fernández Band

  2. Laboratorio de Zoología de Invertebrados II, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, B8000CPB, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Jorge Omar Werdin González, Natalia Stefanazzi & Adriana Alicia Ferrero

  3. Organic Chemistry Section, INQUISUR-CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Av. Alem 1253, B8000CPB, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Ana Paula Murray

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  1. Jorge Omar Werdin González
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  2. Natalia Stefanazzi
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  3. Ana Paula Murray
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  4. Adriana Alicia Ferrero
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  5. Beatriz Fernández Band
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Correspondence to Jorge Omar Werdin González.

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Communicated by N. Desneux.

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Werdin González, J.O., Stefanazzi, N., Murray, A.P. et al. Novel nanoinsecticides based on essential oils to control the German cockroach. J Pest Sci 88, 393–404 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-014-0607-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-014-0607-1

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