Sustainable pest management using plant secondary metabolites regulated azadirachtin nano-assemblies

Xiaohong Zhang, Jianhua Xiao, Yuqi Huang, Yulu Liu, Gaohua Hu, Weiyao Yan, Guangyao Yan, Qing Guo, Jiawei Shi, Ruyue Han, Jianqiang Li, Gang Tang () and Yongsong Cao ()
Additional contact information
Xiaohong Zhang: China Agricultural University
Jianhua Xiao: China Agricultural University
Yuqi Huang: China Agricultural University
Yulu Liu: China Agricultural University
Gaohua Hu: China Agricultural University
Weiyao Yan: China Agricultural University
Guangyao Yan: China Agricultural University
Qing Guo: China Agricultural University
Jiawei Shi: China Agricultural University
Ruyue Han: China Agricultural University
Jianqiang Li: China Agricultural University
Gang Tang: China Agricultural University
Yongsong Cao: China Agricultural University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Biopesticides have emerged as a global trend to minimize the risks associated with synthetic agrochemicals. However, their stability and efficacies remain challenges for widespread application. Herein, co-assembled nanoparticles (AT NPs or AP NPs) based on azadirachtin (AZA) and tannic acid (TA) or phenylalanine (PA) are constructed in aqueous solution through self-assembly technology. The small particle size, low PDI, high ζ-potential, and related other physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles can improve wettability, adhesiveness, rain erosion resistance, and photostability compared to the commercial AZA formulation. Importantly, co-assemblies with bidirectional pH-responsive disassembly in acidic or alkaline solutions, allow them to respond to microenvironmental stimuli of targets and enable controlled release of AZA. The nanosystems demonstrated remarkable in vitro and in vivo insecticidal activities against Ostrinia furnacalis and Aphis gossypii. This study illustrates a distinctive perspective for developing eco-friendly nanosystems, highlighting a water-based treatment method for biopesticides with improved physicochemical properties and utilization efficiency.

Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57028-w Abstract (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57028-w

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57028-w

Access Statistics for this article

Nature Communications is currently edited by Nathalie Le Bot, Enda Bergin and Fiona Gillespie

More articles in Nature Communications from Nature
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().