Eco-friendly nanocarriers for mosquito larvicide: calcium carbonate submicron particles encapsulating plant extracts
摘要
Dengue is an arboviral disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Natural plant-based insecticides are promising alternatives to chemical insecticides but face challenges, including rapid degradation of bioactive compounds in aquatic environments. In this study, bioactive plant extracts were encapsulated in water-insoluble CaCO3 submicron carriers, which are of great interest as targeted drug delivery systems due to their bioadhesive, biocompatible properties, and eco-friendly nature. This approach was applied to achieve the highest efficiency with controlled release of bioactive compounds targeting dengue mosquito larvae.
MethodsCaCO3 submicron particles were synthesized using a mixture of Ca(CH3COO)2 and NaHCO3 in H2O and diethylene glycol as solvents. The combined plant extract of Capsicum frutescens (Naimiris) and Allium sativum (garlic), which showed significant larvicidal activity against dengue mosquito larvae, was encapsulated into CaCO3 particles, and their release properties and larvicidal activity were examined. The results of the SEM, XRD, XRF, and FTIR analyses confirmed the morphology, structure, and chemical characterization of the CaCO3 submicron particles. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was also conducted, and the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were investigated quantitatively.
ResultsThe diameter of CaCO3 particles was 252.3–676.4 nm, and the average size was 419.7 nm. 85.56 ± 4.65% of plant extract was encapsulated into CaCO3 particles, and about 27% of the encapsulated product was released to the medium up to 10 days. Larvicidal activity showed concentration and time-dependent mortality in mosquito larvae, resulting in up to 55% mortality after 10 days for the highest concentration tested.
ConclusionThe results confirmed that CaCO3 submicron carriers are effective as slow-release drug delivery systems.