Nanoemulsion Based on Piper tuberculatum Essential Oil for the Treatment of the Crop Pest Bemisia tabaci Biotype B

The agricultural sector has been searching for eco-friendly methods for pest control. Essential oil-based formulations are promising alternatives. Here, we developed a nanoemulsion based on Piper tuberculatum Jacq. essential oil to control Bemisia tabaci biotype B. The essential oils extracted from P. tuberculatum leaves were mostly composed of beta-caryophyllene (16.86%), germacrene D (13.39%), and alpha-pinene (11.60%). Nanoemulsions containing essential oils were significantly toxic to B. tabaci adults 24 h after cabbage leaf treatment. The lethal concentration required to reduce the number of individuals by 50% (LC50) was 8700 ppm, with a confidence interval (95% CI) of 7900-8800 ppm. Notably, nanoemulsions with 10000 and 20000 ppm essential oils presented insecticidal activity statistically similar to that of commercial synthetic insecticides. Our findings highlight the innovative potential of P. tuberculatum essential oil nanoemulsions as effective alternatives for controlling B. tabaci, providing a sustainable and economically viable solution.