Molluscicidal activity of calcium borate nanoparticles with kodom ball-flower structure on hematological, histological and biochemical parameters of Eobania vermiculata snails.

Land snails are the most harmful pests in agricultural fields. Eobania vermiculata is a widespread snail species that causes massive damage to all agricultural crops. Thus, the molluscicidal activity of calcium borate nanoparticles (CB-NPs) against Eobania vermiculata was evaluated and compared with metaldehyde (Gastrotox® E 5% G). The amorphous phase of CB-NPs was obtained after thermal treatment at a low temperature (500 °C) which conformed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. CB-NPs are composed of aggregated nano-sheets with an average thickness of 54 nm which enhanced their molluscicidal activity. These nano-sheets displayed meso-porous network architecture with pore diameters of 13.65 nm, and a 9.46 m/g specific surface area. CB-NPs and metaldehyde (Gastrotox® E 5% G) exhibited molluscicidal effects on Eobania vermiculata snails with median lethal concentrations LC of 175.3 and 60.5 mg/l, respectively, after 72 h of exposure. The results also showed significant reductions of Eobania vermiculata snails hemocytes' mean total number, the levels of Testosterone (T) and Estrogen (E), alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, albumin, and protein concentrations, succinate dehydrogenase, glucose, triglycerides and phospholipids levels, while significant increases in the phagocytic index and mortality index, both transaminases (ALT and AST) and glycogen phosphorylase concentration were observed after the exposure to LC of CB-NPs or metaldehyde (Gastrotox® E 5% G) compared to the control group. Therefore, CB-NPs could be used as an alternative molluscicide for controlling Eobania vermiculata, but further studies are needed to assess their effects on non-target organisms.