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A unimolecule nanopesticide delivery system applied in field scale for enhanced pest control

Author

Listed:
  • Xingye Li

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Xinyue Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Changjiao Sun

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Anqi Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Changcheng An

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Ningjun Li

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Yue Shen

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Jiachong Hu

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Huihui Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Jing Xie

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Dan Luo

    (Cornell University)

  • Yan Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

Abstract

Nanopesticides provide immense potential in reducing pesticide use and promoting sustainable agriculture for their enhanced pesticidal efficacy. Nano-enabled delivery systems can enhance pesticide penetration into both insects and leaves through their unique nanoproperties, in particular their small size. However, it remains a great challenge to achieve unimolecular formulations in water-based processes in order to take full advantages of nanoproperties. Here, using ionic liquid, we fabricate unimolecular nanopesticides (about 3 nm in average diameter) in a water-based process, termed unimolecule-nanopesticide delivery system. Guided by the density functional theory calculations, we successfully convert various traditional pesticides into the unimolecule-nanopesticide system, significantly enhancing cellular uptake, insect-dermis translocation, and leaf-cuticle penetration of pesticides. Furthermore, we improved field efficacy against multiple pests using the unimolecule-nanopesticide system. Importantly, the unimolecule-nanopesticide system utilizes only industry-grade raw materials that are Generally Recognized as Safe by the US Food and Drug Administration. We believe our unimolecule-nanopesticide system represents a water-based and facile-manufactured platform for other conventional pesticides to achieve high-efficiency field-scale plant protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Xingye Li & Xinyue Wang & Changjiao Sun & Anqi Wang & Changcheng An & Ningjun Li & Yue Shen & Jiachong Hu & Huihui Liu & Jing Xie & Dan Luo & Yan Wang, 2025. "A unimolecule nanopesticide delivery system applied in field scale for enhanced pest control," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61969-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61969-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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