Characterization of Nanoparticles Loaded ‎with Garlic Essential Oil and Their ‎Insecticidal Activity Against Phthorimaea ‎Operculella (Zeller) (PTM) ‎‎(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)‎

The aim of this work was to encapsulate garlic essential oil into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to enhance its insecticidal activity against potato tuber moth larvae Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (PTM) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Garlic essential oil loaded into solid lipid nanoparticles (GO-SLNs) was prepared by ultrasonic-solvent emulsification technique, the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of encapsulated oil were determined. The morphology of produced nanocapsules was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The chemical composition of the tested oil free and loaded-SLNs was evaluated using GC/MS analysis. The results showed that the abundance and content of the major phytochemicals did not show significant difference between free and nano-encapsulated oil when analyzed by GC/MS. Laboratory bioassay indicated that GO-SLNs was more effective than free oil on both larval and pupal development as well as it affected the adult longevity. Field-laboratory experiment was conducted to show direct and residual effects of garlic oil free and post loading against the 1st larval instar of the pest in terms of toxicity and stability. Results showed that GO-SLNs was more stable under field conditions and gave a high percentage of mortality at two concentrations used even after maximum time interval (5 days). Results of this study indicated that nanoformulation of GO-SLNs can be used effectively to control larvae of Ph. operculella.