Environmental Safety Assessments of Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded with Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Biodegradable lipid nanoparticles (LN) are promising for pesticide encapsulation, reducing environmental release.
• Safety-by-design principles are crucial for evaluating nanoparticle ecotoxicology.
• Insecticide active ingredients (AI) require safe and effective delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To produce and characterize LN encapsulating the insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (LC).
• To evaluate the safety of LC-loaded LN (LN-LC) on crops (Solanum lycopersicum, Zea mays) and soil invertebrates (Folsomia candida, Eisenia fetida).
• To assess the impact of LN-LC on soil microbial parameters.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of LN-LC, including particle size, charge, and stability.
• Entrapment efficacy of lambda-cyhalothrin within LN.
• Ecotoxicological assessment on crop growth and invertebrate reproduction.
• Analysis of soil microbial activity and parameters.

Main Results:

• LN-LC exhibited an average particle size of 165.4 ± 2.34 nm with a negative surface charge (-38.7 ± 0.954 mV).
• High encapsulation efficiency (98.44 ± 0.04%) and stability for at least 4 months were achieved.
• LN-LC demonstrated no adverse effects on crop growth or invertebrate reproduction.
• Soil microbial parameters showed variable responses (inhibition or stimulation) at high LN concentrations, potentially due to pH changes or intrinsic LN properties.

Conclusions:

• LN-LC are stable, highly efficient carriers for lambda-cyhalothrin.
• LN-LC present a low ecotoxicological risk to crops and key soil invertebrates.
• Potential impacts on soil microbial communities warrant further investigation, especially at higher concentrations.