Pesticidal efficacy, mode of action and safety limits profile of essential oils based nanoformulation against Callosobruchus chinensis and Aspergillus flavus

Abstract The study explores the pesticidal efficacy, mode of action, and safety limit profile of essential oils-based formulation using the combination of Myristica fragrans (M), Bunium persicum (B), and Zanthoxylum alatum (Z) (1:1:1 v/v/v) and their nanoformulation (Ne-MBZ) against the Callosobruchus chinensis, Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B1 production. Linalool, γ-terpinene, and cuminaldehyde were identified as the major compounds of the formulation (MBZ) by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Nanoencapsulation of developed formulation (Ne-MBZ) was prepared using chitosan and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The pesticidal efficacy of nanoformulation (Ne-MBZ) against C. chinensis IC50 (0.14 μl/ml), A. flavus (0.8 μl/ml) and AFB1 (0.8 μl/ml) was significantly higher in both in-vitro and in-situ conditions than the sum of their individual revealing a notable synergistic effect. Besides, the detailed mode of pesticidal action and safety limit profile were explored using biochemical, in-silico and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) approaches.