Rotenone nanoparticles based on mesoporous silica to improve the stability, translocation and insecticidal activity of rotenone.

Nanotechnology has been widely applied for pesticide carriers, which is an important way to improve the utilization, stability, and sustained release of pesticides. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are a nanomaterial with adjustable particle and pore sizes, with a high specific surface area and good biocompatibility. Rotenone is a non-systemic botanical insecticide that is easily degraded in the environment. We used a modified soft-template method to prepare MSNs, in which rotenone was loaded using the solvent evaporation method. The prepared rotenone nanopesticide based on mesoporous silica showed considerable drug loading rates of 33.2%. Moreover, the prepared rotenone nanoparticles showed improved photostability and sustained release behavior, which improved the translocation of rotenone in tomato plants. Finally, the rotenone nanoparticles displayed superior insecticidal activity compared to traditional preparations. In summary, the rotenone nanopesticide improved the persistence and utilization rates of rotenone. These findings are of significance in reducing pesticide usage, mitigating environmental pollution, and ensuring food safety.