Insecticidal efficacy and mechanism of nanoparticles synthesized from chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan against Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). (15th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Qun; Wang, Ruifei; Qin, Deqiang; Yang, Liupeng; Lin, Sukun; Cheng, Dongmei; Huang, Suqing; Zhang, Zhixiang
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 260(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-15
• Subjects: Chitosan -- Carboxymethyl chitosan -- Red fire ant -- Nanoparticles -- Insecticidal; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.117839
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: pH-sensitive CS/CMCS-NPs were synthesized by chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan. Synthesized CS/CMCS-NPs revealed insecticidal efficacy against the red fire ants. The morphological changes of the midgut of red fire ants were observed using SEM. The CS/CMCS-NPs inhibited the growth and midgut digestion of the red fire ants. Abstract: The efficacy and mode of action of biodegradable chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) organic polymer nanoparticles (NPs) on insects were studied. The prepared CS/CMCS-NPs were spherical with a particle size of 142.1 ± 2.0 nm. The swelling test showed that they were pH-sensitive, and the swelling rate was 554 % at pH 4.5. It was found that CS/CMCS-NPs had insecticidal efficacy against red fire ants ( S. invicta ). The mortality of red fire ants on the 6th day after treatment with 0.2 % and 0.06 % CS/CMCS-NPs suspensions was 98.33 ± 1.67 % and 48.33 ± 3.33 %, respectively. After CS/CMCS-NPs treatment, the food intake, growth, and development of red fire ants were inhibited; the midgut was significantly expanded; and the activity of digestive enzymes in the midgut was decreased. Our findings suggest that CS/CMCS-NPs mainly inhibited the digestion function of the midgut, leading to the death of red fire ants.