Microfluidic-Based dsRNA Delivery Nanoplatform for Efficient Spodoptera exigua Control

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Agricultural Science
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• RNA interference (RNAi) offers potential for pest control.
• Current RNAi nanopesticide production lacks consistent quality control due to batch processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a microfluidic-based nanoplatform for continuous RNA nanopesticide preparation.
• To improve quality control and efficiency in producing RNAi nanopesticides.

Main Methods:

• Utilized microfluidic technology for continuous processing of RNA nanopesticides using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).
• Formed dsRNA-loaded LNPs (dsRNA@LNPs) rapidly with uniform size and enhanced properties.
• Evaluated dsRNA@LNPs targeting the chitin synthetase B (CHSB) gene in *Spodoptera exigua*.

Main Results:

• Microfluidic platform produced dsRNA@LNPs with uniform size, improved leaf wettability, and excellent dispersion.
• dsRNA@LNPs demonstrated resistance to midgut fluid degradation.
• dsCHSB@LNPs significantly increased pest mortality, reduced larval growth, and enhanced gene suppression.

Conclusions:

• A continuous microfluidic nanoplatform enables high-quality RNAi nanopesticide production.
• This technology accelerates the practical application of RNAi for pest control.
• Microfluidics offers a scalable solution for consistent nanopesticide manufacturing.