*Result*: Improving the control efficiency of the novel green botanical pesticide toosendanin by optimizing physicochemical properties.
Title:
Improving the control efficiency of the novel green botanical pesticide toosendanin by optimizing physicochemical properties.
Authors:
Li H; Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.; College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China., Li WJ; Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China., Huang Y; Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China., Zhang B; Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.; Provincial Center for Bio-Pesticide Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China., Zhou YW; Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.; Provincial Center for Bio-Pesticide Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China., Ma ZQ; Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.; Provincial Center for Bio-Pesticide Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.
Source:
Pest management science [Pest Manag Sci] 2026 Jan; Vol. 82 (1), pp. 1079-1089. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Oct 17.
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Published for SCI by Wiley Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 100898744 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1526-4998 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 1526498X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Pest Manag Sci Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Original Publication: West Sussex, UK : Published for SCI by Wiley, c2000-
MeSH Terms:
References:
Duke SO, Evidente A and Vurro M, Natural products in pest management: innovative approaches for increasing their use. Pest Manag Sci 75:2299–2300 (2019).
Isman MB, Botanical insecticides in the twenty‐first century‐fulfilling their promise? Annu Rev Entomol 65:1–17 (2019).
Ngegba PM, Cui G, Khalid MZ, Li Y and Zhong G, Prospects of botanical compounds and pesticides as sustainable management strategies against Spodoptera frugiperda. J Econ Entomol 115:1834–1845 (2022).
Isman MB and Grieneisen ML, Botanical insecticide research:many publications, limited useful data. Trends Plant Sci 19:140–145 (2014).
Isman MB, Bridging the gap: moving botanical insecticides from the laboratory to the farm. Ind Crops Prod 110:10–14 (2017).
Zhou Y, Wang K, Yan C, Li WS, Zhang N and Zhang ZX, Effect of two formulations on the decline curves and residue levels of rotenone in cabbage and soil under field conditions. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 104:23–27 (2014).
Feng XX, Pan LP, Wang C and Zhang HY, Residue analysis and risk assessment of pyrethrins in open field and greenhouse turnips. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25:1–10 (2017).
Caboni P, Sarais G, Angioni A, Lai F, Dedola F and Cabras P, Fate of azadirachtin A and related azadirachtoids on tomatoes after greenhouse treatment. J Environ Sci Health A 44:598–605 (2009).
Ali E, Shakil NA, Rana VS, Sarkar DJ and Kumar J, Antifungal activity of nano emulsions of neem and citronella oils against phytopathogenic fungi, rhizoctonia solani and sclerotium rolfsii. Ind Crops Prod 108:379–387 (2017).
Cui B, Lv Y, Gao F, Wang C, Zeng Z and Wang Y, Improving abamectin bioavailability via nanosuspension constructed by wet milling technique. Pest Manag Sci 75:2756–2764 (2019).
Deng YH, Zhao HJ, Qian Y, Lü L, Wang BB and Qiu XQ, Hollow lignin azo colloids encapsulated avermectin with high antiphotolysis and slow‐release performance. Ind Crops Prod 87:191–197 (2016).
Li YY, Yang DJ, Lu S, Lao SL and Qiu XQ, Modified lignin with anionic surfactant and its application in slow‐release of avermectin. J Agric Food Chem 66:3457–3464 (2018).
Pavela R, Benelli G, Pavoni L, Bonacucina G, Cespi M and Cianfaglione K, Microemulsions for delivery of Apiaceae essential oils‐towards highly effective and eco‐friendly mosquito larvicides? Ind Crops Prod 129:631–640 (2019).
Singla M and Patanjali PK, Phase behaviour of neem oil based microemulsion formulations. Ind Crops Prod 44:421–426 (2013).
Wang Y, Zhang LT, Zheng FN and Chen FL, The effect of adjuvants on penetration of beta cypermethrin across the armyworm epidermis (Mythimna separata walker). Acta Entomol Sin 43:51–56 (2000).
Wang Y, Zhang LT, Zheng FN and Chen FL, The effect of adjuvants on penetration of beta‐cypermethrin across the epidermis of cabbage leaf. Sci Agric Sin 35:33–37 (2002).
Ez‐Zoubi A, Ez Zoubi Y, Ramzi A, Fadil M, El Ouali Lalami A and Farah A, Ethanol and glycerol green emulsifying solvent for the formation of a Lavandula stoechas essential oil/β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complex: mixture design and adulticidal activity against Culex pipiens. Heliyon 8:e10204 (2022).
Carasek E, Bernardi G, Morelli D and Merib J, Sustainable green solvents for microextraction techniques: recent developments and applications. J Chromatogr A 1640:461944 (2021).
Liu S, Caceres LA, Schiek K, Booker CJ and Scott IM, Insecticidal activity of Bio‐oil from the pyrolysis of straw from brassica spp. J Agric Food Chem 62:3610–3618 (2014).
Norris EJ, Gross AD, Bartholomay LC and Coats JR, Plant essential oils synergize various pyrethroid insecticides and antagonize malathion in aedes aegypti. Med Vet Entomol 33:453–466 (2019).
Ribeiro‐Neto JA, Pinto M, Ferreira VV, Tibúrcio JD and Alves SN, Larvicidal activity of vegetable oils and esterified compounds against culex quinquefasciatus (diptera: culicidae). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 143:57–61 (2017).
Santos CA, Santos R, Della'Vechia JF, Griesang F, Polanczyk RA and Ferreira M, Effect of addition of adjuvants on physical and chemical characteristics of Bt bioinsecticide mixture. Sci Rep 9:12525 (2019).
Zhang X, Wang XL, Feng JT and Chiu SF, The development of botanical insecticides‐Toosendanin. J Northwest Sci‐Tech Univ Agric For 21:1–5 (1993).
Shi YL and Li MF, Biological effects of toosendanin, a triterpenoid extracted from Chinese traditional medicine. Prog Neurobiol 82:1–10 (2007).
Tada K, Takido M and Kitanaka S, Limonoids from fruit of Melia toosendan and their cytotoxic activity. Phytochemistry 51:787–791 (1999).
Carpinella MC, Defago MT, Graciela V and Palacios SM, Antifeedant and insecticide properties of a limonoid from Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) with potential use for pest management. J Agric Food Chem 51:369–374 (2003).
Xie YS, Fields PG and Isman MB, Insecticidal activity of Melia toosendan extracts and toosendanin against three stored‐product insects. J Stored Prod Res 31:259–265 (1995).
Céspedes CL, Calderón JS, Lina L and Aranda E, Growth inhibitory effects on fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda of some limonoids isolated from Cedrela spp. (Meliaceae). J Agric Food Chem 48:1903–1908 (2000).
Zhang YN, Ma ZQ, Wang HP, Feng JT and Zhang X, Evaluation of the toxicity of botanical pesticide toosendanin to non‐target organisms. Acta Sci Circumstantiae 27:2038–2045 (2007).
Li H, He SQ, Liu GL, Li C, Zhang X and Ma ZQ, Residue and dissipation kinetics of toosendanin in cabbage, tobacco and soil using IC‐ELISA detection. Food Chem 335:127600 (2020).
Chiu SF and Zhang X, A critical review of toosendanin‐a novel insecticide isolated from Melia toosendan. J South China Agric Univ 2:57–67 (1987).
Károly N, Duca RC, Lovas S, Creta M, Scheepers PT, Godderis L et al., Systematic review of comparative studies assessing the toxicity of pesticide active ingredients and their product formulations. Environ Res 181:108926 (2019).
CIPAC MT36, Emulsion Characteristics of Emulsifiable Concentrates. CIPAC Handbook F. Physico‐Chemical Methods for Technical and Formulated Pesticides. Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council Ltd., Harpenden, England, pp. 108–114 (1995).
CIPAC MT39, Stability of Liquid Formulations at 0 °C. CIPAC Handbook F. Physicochemical Methods for Technical and Formulated Pesticides. Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council Ltd., Harpenden, England, pp. 128–130 (1995).
CIPAC MT46, Accelerated Storage Procedure. CIPAC Handbook F. Physico‐Chemical Methods for Technical and Formulated Pesticides. Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council Ltd., Harpenden, England, pp. 148–152 (1995).
Zhao R, Yu M, Sun Z, Li LJ, Shang HY, Xi WJ et al., Using tank‐mix adjuvant improves the physicochemical properties and dosage delivery to reduce the use of pesticides in unmanned aerial vehicles for plant protection in wheat. Pest Manag Sci 78:2512–2522 (2022).
Wu WJ, Introduction to Experimental Technology of Plat Chemical Protection [M]. Shaanxi Science and Technology Press, Xi an, pp. 72–77 (1988).
Tang T, Hu F, Wang P, Fu W and Liu X, Broflanilide effectively controls Helicoverpa armigera and spodoptera exigua exhibiting diverse susceptibilities to chlorantraniliprole and emamectin benzoate. Pest Manag Sci 77:1262–1272 (2020).
Yang J, Zhou L, Guo X, Li L, Zhang P, Hong R et al., Study on the esterification for ethylene glycol diacetate using supported ionic liquids as catalyst: catalysts preparation, characterization, and reaction kinetics, process. Chem Eng J 280:147–157 (2015).
Ferguson JC, Chechetto RG, O'Donnell CC, Dorr GJ, Moore JH and Baker GJ, Determining the drift potential of venturi nozzles compared with standard nozzles across three insecticide spray solutions in a wind tunnel. Pest Manag Sci 72:1460–1466 (2016).
Zhang Y, Liu B, Huang K, Wang S, Quirino RL, Zhang ZX et al., Eco‐friendly castor oil‐based delivery system with sustained pesticide release and enhanced retention. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 12:37607–37618 (2020).
Zhang XP, Jing TF, Zhang DX, Luo J, Li BX and Liu F, Assessment of ethylene glycol diacetate as an alternative carrier for use in agrochemical emulsifiable concentrate formulation. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 163:349–355 (2018).
Isman MB, Botanical insecticides in the twenty‐first century‐fulfilling their promise? Annu Rev Entomol 65:1–17 (2019).
Ngegba PM, Cui G, Khalid MZ, Li Y and Zhong G, Prospects of botanical compounds and pesticides as sustainable management strategies against Spodoptera frugiperda. J Econ Entomol 115:1834–1845 (2022).
Isman MB and Grieneisen ML, Botanical insecticide research:many publications, limited useful data. Trends Plant Sci 19:140–145 (2014).
Isman MB, Bridging the gap: moving botanical insecticides from the laboratory to the farm. Ind Crops Prod 110:10–14 (2017).
Zhou Y, Wang K, Yan C, Li WS, Zhang N and Zhang ZX, Effect of two formulations on the decline curves and residue levels of rotenone in cabbage and soil under field conditions. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 104:23–27 (2014).
Feng XX, Pan LP, Wang C and Zhang HY, Residue analysis and risk assessment of pyrethrins in open field and greenhouse turnips. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25:1–10 (2017).
Caboni P, Sarais G, Angioni A, Lai F, Dedola F and Cabras P, Fate of azadirachtin A and related azadirachtoids on tomatoes after greenhouse treatment. J Environ Sci Health A 44:598–605 (2009).
Ali E, Shakil NA, Rana VS, Sarkar DJ and Kumar J, Antifungal activity of nano emulsions of neem and citronella oils against phytopathogenic fungi, rhizoctonia solani and sclerotium rolfsii. Ind Crops Prod 108:379–387 (2017).
Cui B, Lv Y, Gao F, Wang C, Zeng Z and Wang Y, Improving abamectin bioavailability via nanosuspension constructed by wet milling technique. Pest Manag Sci 75:2756–2764 (2019).
Deng YH, Zhao HJ, Qian Y, Lü L, Wang BB and Qiu XQ, Hollow lignin azo colloids encapsulated avermectin with high antiphotolysis and slow‐release performance. Ind Crops Prod 87:191–197 (2016).
Li YY, Yang DJ, Lu S, Lao SL and Qiu XQ, Modified lignin with anionic surfactant and its application in slow‐release of avermectin. J Agric Food Chem 66:3457–3464 (2018).
Pavela R, Benelli G, Pavoni L, Bonacucina G, Cespi M and Cianfaglione K, Microemulsions for delivery of Apiaceae essential oils‐towards highly effective and eco‐friendly mosquito larvicides? Ind Crops Prod 129:631–640 (2019).
Singla M and Patanjali PK, Phase behaviour of neem oil based microemulsion formulations. Ind Crops Prod 44:421–426 (2013).
Wang Y, Zhang LT, Zheng FN and Chen FL, The effect of adjuvants on penetration of beta cypermethrin across the armyworm epidermis (Mythimna separata walker). Acta Entomol Sin 43:51–56 (2000).
Wang Y, Zhang LT, Zheng FN and Chen FL, The effect of adjuvants on penetration of beta‐cypermethrin across the epidermis of cabbage leaf. Sci Agric Sin 35:33–37 (2002).
Ez‐Zoubi A, Ez Zoubi Y, Ramzi A, Fadil M, El Ouali Lalami A and Farah A, Ethanol and glycerol green emulsifying solvent for the formation of a Lavandula stoechas essential oil/β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complex: mixture design and adulticidal activity against Culex pipiens. Heliyon 8:e10204 (2022).
Carasek E, Bernardi G, Morelli D and Merib J, Sustainable green solvents for microextraction techniques: recent developments and applications. J Chromatogr A 1640:461944 (2021).
Liu S, Caceres LA, Schiek K, Booker CJ and Scott IM, Insecticidal activity of Bio‐oil from the pyrolysis of straw from brassica spp. J Agric Food Chem 62:3610–3618 (2014).
Norris EJ, Gross AD, Bartholomay LC and Coats JR, Plant essential oils synergize various pyrethroid insecticides and antagonize malathion in aedes aegypti. Med Vet Entomol 33:453–466 (2019).
Ribeiro‐Neto JA, Pinto M, Ferreira VV, Tibúrcio JD and Alves SN, Larvicidal activity of vegetable oils and esterified compounds against culex quinquefasciatus (diptera: culicidae). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 143:57–61 (2017).
Santos CA, Santos R, Della'Vechia JF, Griesang F, Polanczyk RA and Ferreira M, Effect of addition of adjuvants on physical and chemical characteristics of Bt bioinsecticide mixture. Sci Rep 9:12525 (2019).
Zhang X, Wang XL, Feng JT and Chiu SF, The development of botanical insecticides‐Toosendanin. J Northwest Sci‐Tech Univ Agric For 21:1–5 (1993).
Shi YL and Li MF, Biological effects of toosendanin, a triterpenoid extracted from Chinese traditional medicine. Prog Neurobiol 82:1–10 (2007).
Tada K, Takido M and Kitanaka S, Limonoids from fruit of Melia toosendan and their cytotoxic activity. Phytochemistry 51:787–791 (1999).
Carpinella MC, Defago MT, Graciela V and Palacios SM, Antifeedant and insecticide properties of a limonoid from Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) with potential use for pest management. J Agric Food Chem 51:369–374 (2003).
Xie YS, Fields PG and Isman MB, Insecticidal activity of Melia toosendan extracts and toosendanin against three stored‐product insects. J Stored Prod Res 31:259–265 (1995).
Céspedes CL, Calderón JS, Lina L and Aranda E, Growth inhibitory effects on fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda of some limonoids isolated from Cedrela spp. (Meliaceae). J Agric Food Chem 48:1903–1908 (2000).
Zhang YN, Ma ZQ, Wang HP, Feng JT and Zhang X, Evaluation of the toxicity of botanical pesticide toosendanin to non‐target organisms. Acta Sci Circumstantiae 27:2038–2045 (2007).
Li H, He SQ, Liu GL, Li C, Zhang X and Ma ZQ, Residue and dissipation kinetics of toosendanin in cabbage, tobacco and soil using IC‐ELISA detection. Food Chem 335:127600 (2020).
Chiu SF and Zhang X, A critical review of toosendanin‐a novel insecticide isolated from Melia toosendan. J South China Agric Univ 2:57–67 (1987).
Károly N, Duca RC, Lovas S, Creta M, Scheepers PT, Godderis L et al., Systematic review of comparative studies assessing the toxicity of pesticide active ingredients and their product formulations. Environ Res 181:108926 (2019).
CIPAC MT36, Emulsion Characteristics of Emulsifiable Concentrates. CIPAC Handbook F. Physico‐Chemical Methods for Technical and Formulated Pesticides. Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council Ltd., Harpenden, England, pp. 108–114 (1995).
CIPAC MT39, Stability of Liquid Formulations at 0 °C. CIPAC Handbook F. Physicochemical Methods for Technical and Formulated Pesticides. Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council Ltd., Harpenden, England, pp. 128–130 (1995).
CIPAC MT46, Accelerated Storage Procedure. CIPAC Handbook F. Physico‐Chemical Methods for Technical and Formulated Pesticides. Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council Ltd., Harpenden, England, pp. 148–152 (1995).
Zhao R, Yu M, Sun Z, Li LJ, Shang HY, Xi WJ et al., Using tank‐mix adjuvant improves the physicochemical properties and dosage delivery to reduce the use of pesticides in unmanned aerial vehicles for plant protection in wheat. Pest Manag Sci 78:2512–2522 (2022).
Wu WJ, Introduction to Experimental Technology of Plat Chemical Protection [M]. Shaanxi Science and Technology Press, Xi an, pp. 72–77 (1988).
Tang T, Hu F, Wang P, Fu W and Liu X, Broflanilide effectively controls Helicoverpa armigera and spodoptera exigua exhibiting diverse susceptibilities to chlorantraniliprole and emamectin benzoate. Pest Manag Sci 77:1262–1272 (2020).
Yang J, Zhou L, Guo X, Li L, Zhang P, Hong R et al., Study on the esterification for ethylene glycol diacetate using supported ionic liquids as catalyst: catalysts preparation, characterization, and reaction kinetics, process. Chem Eng J 280:147–157 (2015).
Ferguson JC, Chechetto RG, O'Donnell CC, Dorr GJ, Moore JH and Baker GJ, Determining the drift potential of venturi nozzles compared with standard nozzles across three insecticide spray solutions in a wind tunnel. Pest Manag Sci 72:1460–1466 (2016).
Zhang Y, Liu B, Huang K, Wang S, Quirino RL, Zhang ZX et al., Eco‐friendly castor oil‐based delivery system with sustained pesticide release and enhanced retention. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 12:37607–37618 (2020).
Zhang XP, Jing TF, Zhang DX, Luo J, Li BX and Liu F, Assessment of ethylene glycol diacetate as an alternative carrier for use in agrochemical emulsifiable concentrate formulation. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 163:349–355 (2018).
Grant Information:
2025GH-YBXM-075 Shaanxi Provincial Key R & D Program; 31572029 National Natural Science Foundation of China; 2023YFD1700700 National Key Research and Development Program of China
Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: bioactivity; botanical pesticide; efficacy period; environment‐friendly EC; toosendanin
Substance Nomenclature:
0 (Insecticides)
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20251017 Date Completed: 20251218 Latest Revision: 20251218
Update Code:
20260130
DOI:
10.1002/ps.70266
PMID:
41107206
Database:
MEDLINE
*Further Information*
*Background: While TSN (toosendanin) has good control efficacy against agricultural pests, rapid degradation hinders its widespread application in the field.
Results: In this study, through the screening and application of various green additives, a novel and environment-friendly TSN 0.5% emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulation with a long efficacy period and high efficiency against pests was developed using methyl oleate (MO) and azone as adjuvants. The MO-EC formulation exhibited improving permeability, wettability, spreading, and stickiness, along with higher bioactivity and a longer efficacy period, compared with the Xylene-EC formulation. The bioassay results showed that the LC<subscript>50</subscript> values of the MO-EC formulation against Aphis citricola van der Goot, Mythimna separata, and Plutella xylostella (58.11, 85.86, and 66.93 mg L<sup>-1</sup>, respectively) were lower than those of the Xylene-EC sample (82.66, 148.01, and 109.03 mg L<sup>-1</sup>, respectively) and the TSN soluble liquid (311.22, 275.93, and 230.93 mg L<sup>-1</sup>, respectively). Compared with the Xylene-EC formulation and TSN soluble liquid, the MO-EC formulation displayed a higher and longer residual control of approximately 91.32%, 85.71%, and 85.43% against A. citricola van der Goot, M. separata, and P. xylostella, respectively, at 10 days post-treatment with a dosage of 5.25 g A.I hm<sup>-2</sup>. Compared with the Xylene-EC formulation, the higher bioactivity and longer efficacy period of MO-EC formulation are attributed to optimized physicochemical properties.
Conclusion: The MO-EC formulation possesses the potential to serve as a novel and alternative chemical pesticide for sustainable agricultural pest control. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
(© 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.)*