Development of Xanthyletin-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Control of <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i>
This study describes the development, characterization and in vitro evaluation of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles loaded with xanthyletin for the control of <i>Atta sexdens rubropilosa</i> through the inhibition of its symbiotic fungus <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i&...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Cristiane de Melo Cazal Moacir Rossi Forim Ana Paula Terezan Andreia Pereira Matos Gracielle Oliveira Sabbag Cunha Maria Fátima das Graças Fernandes da Silva Paulo Cezar Vieira Fernando Carlos Pagnocca João Batista Fernandes |
| author_facet | Cristiane de Melo Cazal Moacir Rossi Forim Ana Paula Terezan Andreia Pereira Matos Gracielle Oliveira Sabbag Cunha Maria Fátima das Graças Fernandes da Silva Paulo Cezar Vieira Fernando Carlos Pagnocca João Batista Fernandes |
| author_sort | Cristiane de Melo Cazal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study describes the development, characterization and in vitro evaluation of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles loaded with xanthyletin for the control of <i>Atta sexdens rubropilosa</i> through the inhibition of its symbiotic fungus <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i>. Nanoparticles were prepared via interfacial polymer deposition, with formulation NC5 selected based on optimal physicochemical properties. NC5 exhibited an encapsulation efficiency of 98.0%, average particle size of 304 nm and zeta potential of −29.3 mV. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed spherical morphology and the absence of crystalline residues. The formulation remained physically stable for four months at 4 °C. In vitro release showed biphasic behavior, with an initial burst followed by sustained release. Under UV exposure, NC5 enhanced xanthyletin photostability by 15.4-fold compared to the free compound. Fungicidal assays revealed 76% inhibition of fungal growth with NC5, compared to 85% with free xanthyletin. These results support the potential application of xanthyletin-loaded PCL nanoparticles as a stable and controlled delivery system for the biological control of leaf-cutting ants by targeting their fungal mutualist. Further in vivo studies are recommended to assess efficacy under field conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e3aa66891e68411fb400d3d11ed4406f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-e3aa66891e68411fb400d3d11ed4406f2025-08-20T03:46:38ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013011246910.3390/molecules30112469Development of Xanthyletin-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Control of <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i>Cristiane de Melo Cazal0Moacir Rossi Forim1Ana Paula Terezan2Andreia Pereira Matos3Gracielle Oliveira Sabbag Cunha4Maria Fátima das Graças Fernandes da Silva5Paulo Cezar Vieira6Fernando Carlos Pagnocca7João Batista Fernandes8Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Southeastern Minas Gerais—Campus Barbacena, Barbacena 36205018, BrazilDepartment of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565905, BrazilDepartment of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565905, BrazilDepartment of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565905, BrazilFederal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goiás—Campus Anápolis, Anápolis 75131457, BrazilDepartment of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565905, BrazilDepartment of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565905, BrazilCenter for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho—Campus Rio Claro, Rio Claro 13506900, BrazilDepartment of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565905, BrazilThis study describes the development, characterization and in vitro evaluation of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles loaded with xanthyletin for the control of <i>Atta sexdens rubropilosa</i> through the inhibition of its symbiotic fungus <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i>. Nanoparticles were prepared via interfacial polymer deposition, with formulation NC5 selected based on optimal physicochemical properties. NC5 exhibited an encapsulation efficiency of 98.0%, average particle size of 304 nm and zeta potential of −29.3 mV. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed spherical morphology and the absence of crystalline residues. The formulation remained physically stable for four months at 4 °C. In vitro release showed biphasic behavior, with an initial burst followed by sustained release. Under UV exposure, NC5 enhanced xanthyletin photostability by 15.4-fold compared to the free compound. Fungicidal assays revealed 76% inhibition of fungal growth with NC5, compared to 85% with free xanthyletin. These results support the potential application of xanthyletin-loaded PCL nanoparticles as a stable and controlled delivery system for the biological control of leaf-cutting ants by targeting their fungal mutualist. Further in vivo studies are recommended to assess efficacy under field conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2469biocontrolbiopolymersnanoencapsulationnanotechnologysymbiotic fungus |
| spellingShingle | Cristiane de Melo Cazal Moacir Rossi Forim Ana Paula Terezan Andreia Pereira Matos Gracielle Oliveira Sabbag Cunha Maria Fátima das Graças Fernandes da Silva Paulo Cezar Vieira Fernando Carlos Pagnocca João Batista Fernandes Development of Xanthyletin-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Control of <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i> Molecules biocontrol biopolymers nanoencapsulation nanotechnology symbiotic fungus |
| title | Development of Xanthyletin-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Control of <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i> |
| title_full | Development of Xanthyletin-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Control of <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i> |
| title_fullStr | Development of Xanthyletin-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Control of <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of Xanthyletin-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Control of <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i> |
| title_short | Development of Xanthyletin-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Control of <i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i> |
| title_sort | development of xanthyletin loaded nanoparticles for the control of i leucoagaricus gongylophorus i |
| topic | biocontrol biopolymers nanoencapsulation nanotechnology symbiotic fungus |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2469 |
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