Development and physicochemical characterization of Azadirachta indica seed oil loaded niosomes nanoparticles: A potential natural pesticide

Nanotechnology has helped for decades to transform the agricultural system to make it more effective and to ensure the worlds food supply is sustainable and secure. However, potential toxicological affects, interactions with the biotic or abiotic environment, high cost, unknown life cycles of nanomaterials, and their possible increased bioaccumulation effects are some of the barriers which needs to be addressed. This study evaluates development and potential agricultural application of niosomes nanoparticles loaded with Azadirachta indica seed oil. Niosomes are organic nanomaterials composed of non-ionic surfactants, which are inexpensive, have good encapsulation efficiency, more stability, relatively nontoxic, and biodegradable. Azadirachta indica seed oil loaded niosomes were prepared by thin-film hydration method utilizing different molar ratios of surfactant (Tween 80) and stabilizer (Soy lecithin). The characteristics of niosomes were determined by Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, Optical Microscope, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Further, the prepared niosomes were statistically optimized using the Box-Behnken experimental design. The optimized condition displayed optimum particle size (<100 nm) and acceptable percentage entrapment efficiencies (> 80%). Anti-microbial efficacy of loaded niosomes were evaluated against plant pathogens Xanthomonas and Pantoea. The prepared niosomes displayed considerable antimicrobial properties and can be potentially used in agriculture for the targeted delivery of natural pesticides (Azadirachta indica seed oil) to combat agricultural diseases.