Review Article

Application of Nanotechnology for Insect Pests Management: A Review

Muhammad Shahid1*, Unsar Naeem-Ullah1, Waheed S. Khan2, Shafqat Saeed1 and Kashif Razzaq3

1Institute of Plant Protection, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan; 2Nanobiotechnology Group, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan; 3Department of Horticulture, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.

Received | September 28, 2020; Accepted | November 10, 2020; Published | March 02, 2021

*Correspondence | Muhammad Shahid, Institute of Plant Protection, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan; Email: shahid.css3322@gmail.com

Citation | Shahid, M., Naeem-Ullah, U., Khan, W.S., Saeed, S. and Razzaq, K., 2021. Application of nanotechnology for insect pests management: A review. Journal of Innovative Sciences, 7(1): 28-39.

DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.jis/2021/7.1.28.39

Keywords | Nanoparticles, Insecticides, Plant extracts, Insect pests, Pollution, Biomolecules

1. Introduction

In 2050, the scientist Friedrich predicted that, the worldwide food production will be about 70% but the expected population will be increased up to 9.2 billion. By adapting sustainable, abundant, safe and innovative supply techniques we can achieve the high quality production of various crops. The various methods of cultivation are very helpful to grow the crops in those places where they could not survive. Different plant specific protection measures i.e. pesticide and herbicides tolerant varieties and nutritionally enhanced traits are helpful for adapting bio-intensive integrated disease and pest management (Friedrich, 2015).

The term “Nano” is consequent from Greek word that means “dwarf” and in simple it is a science of small. “Nano” can be defined as the one billionth of something or 10-9. Naturally the nanotechnology means the particles which are used in a nanometer size (1-100 nm in size) (Bhattacharyya et al., 2010). In the last decade, the nanotechnology has evolved many innovative materials in the forthcoming application. Environmental cleanup is a major problem that could be solved by application of nanoparticles that is a biggest challenge in society (Chinnamuthu and Boopathi, 2009). Insect-pests are the major density dependent factors that deteriorate the quality of crops and it is also controlled by application of synthetic insecticides, which provides an impetus for assessment into some bio-rational and ecofriendly substitutes (Subashini et al., 2004).

The modernized and excellent innovations have been done by nanotechnology in different fields of science such as agriculture, engineering, medicine, environmental science, food processing, biotechnology and analytical chemistry. But their use is at initial stage for the protection of various crops against insect pests (Resham et al., 2015). Nanomaterials have potential to combat drastic effect of insect pests that destroy the crops (Khot et al., 2012). These materials have been used as sensors, medical devices, catalytic agents, coatings as pesticides, conductors and semi-conductors (Jordan, 2010).

The global world has been substituting from synthetic chemical based agriculture towards the organic agriculture by application of nanoparticles impregnated biopesticides. These types of biopesticides have capability for an efficient suppression of pest population (Bhattacharyya et al., 2010; De et al., 2014). Leguminaceae (Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre.), Meliaceae (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), Schultz Bip., Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (Trev.), Compositae (Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Trev.) Annonaceae (Asimina triloba, Annona muricata and Annona squamosa), and Pyrethrum cinerariifolium Trev. These plants have potential for synthesis of various nanoparticles.

1.1 Losses of crops and its associates

The production of the crops decreasing day by day due to the severe attacks of pests like weeds, insect pests, mites, rodents, birds, mollusks and phytopathogens including fungi, virus and bacteria. All these organisms are considered as the photosynthetic rate reducer, tissue consumer and leaves senescence accelerator. The sucking and chewing pests reduces the crop yield in a drastic way. The necrotrophic pathogens diminishes the plant quality by transmitting the viruses and lowest the chlorophyll contents. The crop rotation, resistant varieties, rouging, biological and chemical control are some of integrated management tactics that helpful for suppression of pest population. The entomotoxic potential of biosynthesized nanoparticles has led to the need of the time to protect the environment from hazardous materials and for the suppression of pest population.

1.2 Insect pests threat to crops

The insect pests with varied number of the species are present in wide array of the environment. There is large number of insect pests that acts as vectors by transmitting the multiple diseases among the various plant species. The economy and crop yield diminish due to harshly attack of pests and per annum the billion rupees of losses has been done (Ramya et al., 2008). The insect pests are controlled by the application of synthetic insecticides but due to resistance problems each year billion rupees losses (Ragaei and Sabry, 2014). Globally, the Helicoverpa armigera cause the severe damage to the crops cotton, peanut, corn, chickpea, tomato and sorghum in field conditions (Ragaei and Sabry, 2014). This pest prevailed mostly in Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America and Europe (Sullivan and Molet, 2007). About 150 species of insect pests that attacks and deteriorate the quality and production of crops at various life stages (Sullivan and Molet, 2007; Gandhi and Nimboodiri, 2009). This has made an advent for a researcher to over these problems by the application of innovative technologies.

1.3 Why nanotechnology based agriculture

The safest and ecofriendly tool to improve the food process, more agriculture production, enhance nutrition value, better flavor and crop protection has been done by using biotechnology. The toxic materials, genetically engineered crops, viruses, bacteria and insecticidal resistance have been spreading through food chain systems (Wieczorek, 2003). The nanotechnology helps to combat on these issues and revolutionized the food, textile, energy and communication technology. The global population increased day by day and more food consumed by the peoples. Research scientists are trying to overcome these problems by introducing the novel approaches to suppress the pest infestations in order to produce more agriculture products. The nanoparticles that have been synthesized by using biological materials play significant role in the preparation of pesticides formulations, water filtration and crop protection (Barik et al., 2008; Prasad et al., 2014).

In the modern era of science, the biotechnology has been well thought out as a harmless agricultural tool to strengthen the crop protection, modified food process, packaging materials, supply more agricultural produces, improve flavor and better nutritional value. This technology is very helpful by the insertion of engineered genes into the native plants to increase the toxic lethality by disrupting the internal systems of the pests (Wieczorek, 2003). So, it is very necessary for the scientists to combat on these problems by adopting the inventive technology.

In this arena of science, the nanotechnology has revolutionized the many disciplines such as materials, information technology, health care, energy sectors, communication and too much application in the field of agriculture. The population pressure in the worldwide is a major problem that has been demanded the increased supply of food by the controlling of harmful pests by the application of nanoparticles and to increase the quality and production of the crops. The substantial role of biological and chemical nanomaterials is to be increased the plants protection, remediation of harmful pesticides and synthesis of pesticides formulations (Barik et al., 2008). The nanotechnology plays an important role for the development of organic farming, disease control and efficient delivery of fertilizers, pesticides and other agrochemicals (Prasad et al., 2014).

1.4 Global demand of biopesticides

In the modern biosphere, the minimum amount to be invested for the production of ecologically reliable and socially acceptable pesticide formulations to the efficient management of insect pests. The demand of Biopesticides formulations as a form of product consumption by farmers increased gradually. In 2013-2014, it was perceived that the global consumptions of synthetic pesticides and Biopesticides were amplified from $54.8 to $61.8 billion while in 2019 it was expanded up to $83.7 billion (Lehr, 2014). In 2019, the global sale of biopesticides was up to USD 6.9 billion. The demand of biopesticides was 20% in Asia-Pacific region while 40% of market demanded in the North America. Globally, there are many countries that rely on biopesticides for ecofriendly management of harmful insect pests for the provision of food security (Patent mall SDN BHD, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).

1.5 Chemical based pest management (Traditional approach)

In the last decade, most of the synthetic chemicals are present in online source, local pest store such as Amazon and there were several exporters, dealers and manufactures. The Sulphur element such as phosphate fertilizers, fungicides, sulfuric acid and insecticides was utilized in early times. The general efficient chemicals including fipronil, permethrin, bifenthrin, pyrethrum, boric acid and abamectin were applied against insect pests apart from the Sulphur. The chemicals are categorized on the origin of structures of chemicals e.g. organochlorines, neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, organophosphates and carbamates. The insecticides available for the management of insect pests are bioresmethrin, carbaryl, acephate, azadirachtin, fenitrothion, malathion, dichlorvos, pirimiphos methyl and pyrethrum. The repeated applications of same mode of action of insecticides cause the development of resistance, pest resurgence and hazardous effect on environment and health (Kamaraj et al., 2008). The application of conventional insecticides were failed for the management of pests e.g. phytochemicals due to the development of resistance. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the toxic potential of nanoparticles based novaluron sized 30-100 nm in size against larvae of Spodoptera littoralis and the chemicals remain as byproduct were not used for the synthesis (Elek et al., 2010).

1.6 Biological based pest management (Old approach)

The metabolites present in various plants such as terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols and tannins have been used as biopesticides which have an advantage of being ecofriendly for humans and animals (Ge and Ding, 1996). There are several medicinal plant extracts that have optimistic effect on Helicoverpa armigera and mosquitoes. There are some plants that have pesticidal and larvicidal toxic effect on insect pests such as Gnidia glauca, Toddalia asiatica (Sundararajan and Kumuthakalavalli, 2001), Acorus calamus, Annona squamosa, Vitex negundo (Murugan et al., 1998), neem extract (Chopra et al., 1994), Calotropis procera (Lall et al., 2014) and Argimone maxicana (Malarvannan et al., 2008). An experiment was conducted to monitor the toxic effect of neem seed kernel extract that shows highest percent infestation (30.08%) as compared to tobacco leaves extract (26.68%) (Rahman et al., 2014). The neem seed extract poisonousness was used to evaluate the ovicidal, hatching performance, nymphal duration and antifeedants on tea mosquito bug under laboratory conditions (Dutta et al., 2013). There are different plant parts such as fruit, leaves, stem and root extracts used to check the efficiency against insect pests. The bark extract of Ficus racemosa were assessed against larvae of Japanese encephalitis vectors, filariasis vector and Culex quinquefasciatus (Velayutham et al., 2013).

1.7 Nano-based pest management (Innovative approach)

The nanotechnology has been proposed in wide array of field and to create the several formulations and several applications in many meadows likewise biomass, food, nutrition, paint, sensing technology, paper, fertilizer industry, plant protections and in agrochemical industries (Sadowski, 2010). The formulations of nano based pesticides such as ZnO, Cu, Ag and SiO2 nanoparticles show broad spectrum, reducing water and remedies the environmental pollution as compared to the conventional insecticides (Chhipa, 2017). The zinc which is an essential nutrient element helps in plant growth and development and has toxic effect on insect pests. The silver has great potential that is used in the field of medicine, living organisms, pest control and plant management with better efficiency and activity by the green method to use as microbial, fungal, larvicidal, pesticidal, antibacterial and anti-viral activity (Chopra et al., 1994; Kharissova et al., 2009; Gao et al., 2014; Chhipa, 2017). The ZnO nanoparticles antifungal activity was checked against plant pathogen Fusarium graminearum (Dimkpa et al., 2013). The stability, smaller particles size and ecofriendly byproducts are the characteristics of metal nanoparticles (Iravani, 2011). The best possible alternative management techniques for the insect pests control are nanoformulations.

1.8 Natural occurrence of nanoparticles in insects

The naturally occurring nanostructures are enormous source of precise produces but these are abandoned by some scientists (Watson and Watson, 2004; Bhattacharyya and Debnath, 2008; Ehrlich et al., 2008). In cicada Psaltoda claripennis Ashton and in the termites of the family Rhinotermitidae the hexagonal shape of structures is present in these insect pests which are examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) (Zhang and Liu, 2006). The top of the structure of these nanoparticles are flat surface to the size range about 150-350 nm and have a tendency to be round shaped with the almost size range from 200-1000 nm. In the wings of insects, the nanoparticles play an important role in aerodynamic effectiveness. The insects have temperature dependent ferromagnetic resonance and the magnetic material present in various body parts of the insects like in social insects and ants (Nowack and Bucheli, 2007). By alterations in the surrounding of magnetic field the behavior of the higher animals also affected. The honey bees, ant Formica rufa Linnaeus and Solenopsis invicta Buren used the geomagnetic field information for foraging, homing and orientation (Slowik et al., 1997; Binhi, 2004). The magnetic signals in ants species has been recognized by using magnetite nanopartilces which is observed by electron microscope. In the abdomen of workers S. invicta the ferric ions has also been observed (Abracado et al., 2005). Magnetic elements have been detected in the stingless bees Apis mellifera Linnaeus, Pachycondyla marginata Roger, Schwarziana quadripunctata Lepeletier (Wajnberg et al., 2000; El-Jaick et al., 2007; Sahoo, 2014). To detect the natural magnetism in the fire ant (S. invicta) of workers and queens by using the Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The Bright color components of butterflies and compound eyes of insects are due to the presence of nanoparticles.

1.9 Biosynthesis of nanoparticles

There are various approaches used for the synthesis of nanoparticles including physically, biologically and chemically. The chemicals have adverse effects on humans and environment and have been absorbed on the surface. The most economical, socially acceptable and ecologically reliable alternatives to physical and chemical methods are biological methods. Green synthesis of nanoparticles is done by using enzymes (Willner et al., 2006), green plant materials (Shankar et al., 2004; Ahmad et al., 2011), microorganisms (Klaus et al., 1999; Konishi et al., 2007) and fungus (Vigneshwaran et al., 2007). The silver nanoparticles are most widely used in many arenas of science (Armendariz et al., 2002; Kyriacou et al., 2004; Kim et al., 2010). The nanoparticles synthesized with help of viruses, bacteria, fungi and plant extracts that are safe, cost effective, ecofriendly, biocompatible and green approach (Abdul et al., 2014).

The chemicals are also used for the production of nanoparticles. There is a chemical bond present between active compounds and coating matrix such as polymer. The insecticide molecule can bind initially to the side-chain of one monomer and then the polymerization reaction takes place or the polymerization occurs first and only after that, the biocide binds to the side chain (Wilkins, 2004). The nanoparticles were synthesized by using gold, copper, silver and other metallic oxides that has been proven to be effective against various insect pests (Singh, 2012).

1. 10 Synthesis of nanoparticles by bacteria

Silver nanoparticles: The extracellular and intracellular formation of Ag NPs has been explored by using various bacteria e.g. Salmonells typlus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas stulzeri, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholera and Staphylococcus currens (Lengke et al., 2007). The metal ions reduce to metals with the help of microbes. The photoautotrophic cyanobacterium, Plectonema boryanum had been used for extracellular formation of silver NPs (Lengke et al., 2007). The formation of silver nanoparticles in the range of 50 nm in size has been done with Bacillus licheniformis (Kalishwaralal et al., 2008). The treating of aqueous silver nitrate solution with culture supernatants of altered strains of Enterobacteria such as Klebsiella pneumonia is recently the most rapid method for the development of silver nanoparticles (Shahverdi et al., 2007; Mokhtari et al., 2009).

Zinc oxide nanoparticles: Bacteria are used for formations of nanoparticles but it has numerous drawbacks alike selection of microbes is a laborious procedure. The whole process is to be required very keen observation and vigilant monitoring of culture broth. The B. licheniformis are very helpful for the synthesis of ZnO nanoflowers. These nanoflowers were in 40nm in width and 400nm in height (Raliya and Tarafdar, 2013). The effective bioremediation of organic waste material is also done by the application of nanoparticles. The biodegradation of hydrophobic compounds was also done by Rhodococcus (Otari et al., 2012).

1.11 Synthesis of nanoparticles by using plant extracts

Silver Nanoparticles: The distinct technique for the green synthesis of Ag NPs is done by using the plant extracts that are cost effective, ecologically reliable and economically sound. These extracts act as stabilization and reduction of silver ions (Kulkarni and Muddapur, 2014). The protocol adapted for the nanoparticles synthesis by using the green plant materials. The plants leaves were cleaned by using the tap water and distilled water in order to remove the dust and debris materials from the surface of plants. Then take 10g of leaves and boiled in 100 ml of distilled water. The plant extracts were prepared. The AgNO3 is to be added into the distilled water to make aqueous solution. The plant extracts were added drop wise into the aqueous solution of silver nitrate in order to the reduction of pure Ag (I) ions to Ag (0). This synthesized solution was monitored by the UV-Visible spectrophotometer with the regular intervals (Krishnaraj et al., 2010).

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles: The ZnO is semiconducting metal oxide that plays an important in the field of optics, biomedical systems and electronics (Gunalan et al., 2012; Vanathi et al., 2014; Anbuvannan et al., 2015; Sundrarajan et al., 2015; Patil et al., 2016). It is play vital role in the arena of biomedical sciences by the applications like antidiabetic, agricultural properties, antifungal, anti- cancer, drug delivery and antibacterial, (Martiankova et al., 2009; Movahedi et al., 2014; Jain et al., 2014; Sangani et al., 2015; Hameed et al., 2016). The advantages of ZnO nanoparticles are that they are safe, cost-effective and can be easily prepare (Jayaseelan et al., 2012). US FDA has enlisted ZnO as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) metal oxide (Pulit-prociak et al., 2016).

The various parts of plants that contain toxic metabolites are used for nanoparticles synthesis. These plants are also acting as the stabilizing and reducing agent (Nagajyothi et al., 2013; Gnanajobitha et al., 2013; Zong et al., 2014; Nachiyar et al., 2015; Ramesh et al., 2015; Rajeshkumar, 2016; Xiao et al., 2016). The Trifolium pratense flower extract was used for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and these were analyzed by UV- visible spectrophotometer in order to showing the various peaks and formation of stable nanoparticles. The Rosa canina and Aloe vera extracts was used as capping and reducing agent confirmed by the FTIR studies (Dobrucka and Długaszewska, 2016).

1.12 Synthesis of nanoparticles using fungus

The extracellular formation of NPs has been done with fungus material (Azizi et al., 2014). The fungal strains have better tolerance and bioaccumulation property as compared to bacteria (Pati et al., 2014). The average size of nanoparticles was 3.8nm synthesized by using fungus was examined by the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to check the average height of nanoparticles that was about 8.56 nm in size (Hoffmann et al., 1995; Pavani et al., 2012; Shamsuzzaman et al., 2013). The most widely fungus species that was used for the synthesis of nanoparticles is Aspergillus that has mostly spherical in shape.

1.13 Nanoparticles application in sustainable way

The formation of nanoparticles has been done by using plant extracts that are safe, easy to access and cost-effective. There is broad range of phytochemicals present in different parts of plants. The nanoporus zeolites were used for the slow release of herbicides, fertilizer, irrigation and pest management. The nanosensor was used for the detection of pests in field conditions (Scrinis and Lyons, 2007). The insect repellent, pesticides and insecticides was synthesized by using nanoparticles (Owolade et al., 2008). The Tribolium castaneum was efficiently controlled by the garlic essential oils loaded with nanoparticles (Yang et al., 2009). It is need of the time to combat all entomological problems by the introduction of ecologically reliable and socially acceptable Biopesticides through nanotechnology.

 

Conclusions and Recommendations

The nanotechnology has great potential in various areas of science. In near future the pest control to be done by the application of nanotechnology that is an ecofriendly way and is to be need of the research of the day. The biological materials are cost effective for nanoparticles synthesis. This method of synthesis has great advantage over synthetic chemical insecticides due to its eco-toxicity. The current review article specifies that the prospective of nanoparticles used for the efficient suppression of pest population and probable prospects to adventure them in future.

 

Acknowledgements

Authors are very thankful to HEC for providing funding to Mr. Shahid under Indigenous PhD Fellowship Program Phase-II, Batch-IV.

 

Novelty Statement

Nanotechnology is an advanced technology used in agriculture sector particularly for insect pest management across the world as well as in Pakistan.

 

Author’s Contribution

Muhammad Shahid wrote the introduction part of the manuscript. Unsar Naeem-Ullah format the manuscript according to journal. Waheed S. Khan review this article and gave fruitful suggestions. Kashif Razzaq and Shafqat Saeed finally examined, scrutinized and approved the manuscript for final submission by all authors.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

 

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