Nano- and Micro-Emulsions: Formulations and Applications

**Chapter 9**

**Abstract**

**1. Introduction**

**261**

Microemulsion Formulation of

Agricultural Pest Management

*Abhishek Sharma, Saurabh Dubey and Nusrat Iqbal*

to Provide Sustainable

of plant protection in India and across the globe.

Botanical Oils as an Efficient Tool

Microemulsion formulation is among the most suitable carrier for the delivery of

bioactive and, therefore, has excellent potential for industrial applications. The microemulsion system is thermodynamically and kinetically stable. Due to the smaller droplet size of the microemulsion system, the bioactive covers a larger surface of the target pest. Botanicals and essential oils, in particular, are green options to control various soil and seed-borne pathogens. Each oil contains several bioactive constituents that practically avoid microbe-resistance against it. Nevertheless, to improve the handling and shelf-life of botanicals, microemulsion formulation is the best option available. The current chapter provides the insight of a microemulsion system and explores the possibility of botanical oil-based biopesticides for a sustainable agroecosystem. We believe that botanical oil microemulsion could be a better alternative to synthetic pesticides and opens a new corridor for the promotion of the greener way

**Keywords:** botanicals, essential oil, microemulsion, pathogen, formulation

Essential oils from aromatic plants are a competent source of pesticides that have a

Various formulations of bioactive compounds are available in the market, but they have certain limitations like un-stability, high in cost, complex compositions, non-targeted delivery, and post-application wastage. It is, therefore, compelling to look upon the carrier system that overcomes the limitations mentioned above. In recent years, researchers have reported that microemulsion (ME) formulation is the

diverse role in pest management like insecticides, fungicides, growth-regulators, deterrent, and repellent activities [1]. Essential oils' role in pharmacology or therapeutic activities and cosmetics is quite known. In recent years, the essential oil is being used in pest management applications and regularly used by the farmers to promote organic farming in an environmentally friendly way [2]. Essential oils of aromatic plants are rich in bioactive compounds viz., terpenes, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, etc. These constituents have different physicochemical properties and stability, but their utilization in pure form is not feasible. Hence, a suitable delivery system is

needed to enhance its bio-efficacy and stability during the application.
