Bio‐based clothianidin‐loaded solid dispersion using composite carriers to improve efficacy and reduce environmental toxicity

• Published in: Pest management science Vol. 77; no. 11; pp. 5246 - 5254
• Main Authors: Guo, Yongfei, Ren, Lirui, Li, Xiaolong, Wang, Zhao, Zhang, Yanning, Zhang, Shuai, Tang, Tao, Chen, Fuliang, Du, Fengpei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.11.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Acute toxicity; Apis mellifera; Bombyx mori; composite carriers; Controlled release; Dispersion; environmental toxicity; Insecticides; neonicotinoids; Pesticides; Plant protection; Silkworms; solid dispersion; Sustainable agriculture; Toxicity
• ISSN: 1526-498X; 1526-4998
• DOI: 10.1002/ps.6567

BACKGROUND Neonicotinoids comprise one of the most extensively used classes of pesticides worldwide owing to their broad insecticidal spectrum and excellent biological performance. However, their toxicity to honeybee (Apis mellifera Linnaeus) and silkworm (Bombyx Mori) limits their further application. To address this issue, clothianidin as a model neonicotinoid was developed into a novel controlled‐release formulation employing advantaged solid dispersion (SD) technology using composite carriers. RESULTS In this research, the clothianidin‐loaded SD was characterized using integrated methods to elucidate its formation mechanism, showing that clothianidin was embedded into the carrier homogeneously in small crystalline entities. The composite carriers, which are both renewable and environmentally friendly, can significantly prolong the release of clothianidin from seven to 25 days, compared with that of PEG 8000 as a single carrier. Based on the excellent controlled release profiles, it reduced the acute toxicity to A. mellifera and B. mori by 57.68‐ and 85.32‐fold (respectively) compared with that of the conventional formulation. Furthermore, the SD displayed favorable efficacy and persistency against Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). CONCLUSION This novel strategy opens up a simple and powerful avenue for improving efficacy and promoting the environmental safety of neonicotinoid insecticides to be used in sustainable crop protection. Bio‐based clothianidin‐loaded solid dispersion using a composite carrier is of persistent efficacy and low environmental toxicity, which facilitates its application for sustainable agriculture. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.