LAUSR

Abstract Pesticides are being used extensively all over the world to increase agricultural output. However, their use may have radical effects on humans and the environment. Thus, there is a dire need to develop new technologies so as to restrict the use of pesticides/agrochemicals to lower concentrations. In this regard, nanotechnology may provide promising solutions to the problems in the field of agriculture and food science. In the present study, we have synthesized chitosan and agrochemical loaded (spinosad and permethrin) chitosan nanoparticles and characterized them using XRD, FT-IR, UV–Vis, DLS/Zeta potential, FE-SEM, and HR-TEM. Chitosan is a skilled and resourceful polymer that has been used in the field of agriculture as nanoparticles. Chitosan nanoparticles are biodegradable in nature, non-toxic carriers for nucleotides and drugs, biocompatibility and have excellent adsorption abilities. After synthesis, the toxicity of chitosan and agrochemical loaded chitosan nanoparticles was checked on Drosophila melanogaster (model organism) at several concentrations (10, 50, 100 μg/mL) of nanoparticles. Assays such as survivability assay, climbing assay, and the larval crawling assay were performed to monitor and observe the toxicity of chitosan and agrochemical loaded chitosan nanoparticles and the results were compared with free agrochemicals. Results showed the agrochemical loaded chitosan nanoformulations to be more effective with a lasting residual effect as compared to the free agrochemicals. Thus, in conclusion, these nanoformulations may be used for insect pest management.