Synthesis, insecticidal activity and nanoencapsulation studies of Alkoxy Alcohols from Eugenol

There has been a growing interest in studying and evaluating the action of botanical insecticides for pest management because of insect resistance to the traditional insecticides. Insect resistance is only one of the disadvantages of traditional insecticides; they also have adverse effects on non-target organisms, ecosystems and human health since the long-term applications result in residues accumulating in different environmental components like water, food, air and soil. As alternative, green pesticides derived from organic sources that are considered environmentally friendly and cause less harm to human and animal health can be used. One example of these sources are essential oils, a matrix of phytochemicals with efficient biopesticide action, however, their degradation when exposed to external factors, such as light and air, is a barrier to their wide use.

Nonetheless, the application of nanotechnology in encapsulation of essential oil–based insecticides derivatives can offer many advantages such as protection of their active ingredients from degradation due to external factors that can compromise their biological activity.

In the present work, alkoxy alcohols from eugenol derivatives, with different chains were synthesised. Alkoxy alcohols derivatives were then evaluated against their effect upon the viability of the insect cell line Sf9 (Spodoptera frugiperda), and nanoencapsulation studies of the most promising compound was carried out.