Potential of cyclodextrins-based formulations in the control of the date moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Pyralidae)

Abstract

Abstract Recently essential oils (EOs) encapsulation is experiencing growing applications in the agricultural and agri-food sector. Encapsulation is reported as safe environmental technology leading to a reduction of conventional insecticides use. This study concerns the assessment of fumigant toxicity and persistence of Rosmarinus officinalis EO encapsulated in two cyclodextrins β-CD and HP-β-CD against larvae of the date moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae. The retention capacity, encapsulation efficacy, loading capacity and release behavior of the two inclusion complexes were investigated. The results showed that the encapsulation efficiency of HP-β-CD (EE = 25.25%) was higher than that of β-CD (EE = 17.73%). Additionally, compared to crude EO, the in vitro release profile of the two inclusion complexes showed a slow and sustained release. (0.0009 and 0.0007 min− 1 for β-CD and HP-β-CD, respectively). After 30 days of exposure, the larval mortality rates for HP-β-CD/EO and β-CD/EO inclusion complexes were 40.38 and 53.85%, respectively. Furthermore, the half-life of HP-β-CD and β-CD/EO inclusion complexes (9.620 and 8.045 days) was significantly longer than that of the crude EO (5.245days). This study supports the use of cyclodextrins, mainly HP-β-CD, in the date industry for the control of insect pests.