Safe-by-design green nanopesticides as a sustainable approach for pest management, plant health, and environmental safety.

Hichem Moulahoum, Faezeh Ghorbanizamani, Suna Timur, Figen Zihnioglu, Ahmet Hatipoglu, Kerem Tok, Tugba Oztekin, Sude Yilmaz, Lale Yildiz Aktas

Journal: The Science of the total environment 2025;994():180077

PMID: 40669316

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

The increasing global demand for sustainable food production, combined with the environmental drawbacks of conventional pesticides, has intensified the search for alternative crop protection strategies. Green nanopesticides (nanomaterials synthesized from plant-based or biological sources) have emerged as a promising solution by combining high pesticidal efficacy with reduced ecological impact. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of green nanopesticides synthesized from agro-industrial waste and natural extracts, focusing on their synthesis routes, functional mechanisms, and applications in pest management. Special emphasis is placed on Safe-by-Design (SbD) frameworks that prioritize material safety, environmental fate, and life cycle sustainability from the earliest development stages. The mechanisms of action, including oxidative stress induction, enzymatic modulation, and disruption of pest development, are examined alongside their dual functionality as plant growth promoters. Challenges related to scalability, field efficacy, regulatory compliance, and potential phytotoxicity or non-target effects are critically assessed. Additionally, the role of green nanopesticides in enhancing circular bioeconomy practices and reducing agrochemical dependence is discussed. This review underscores the need for multidisciplinary innovation, standardized production protocols, and risk-informed regulation to ensure the safe and effective integration of green nanopesticides into modern agricultural systems.

Address: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Türkiye. Electronic address: [email protected].; Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Türkiye.; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Türkiye.; Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Türkiye. Electronic address: [email protected].; Plant Protection Department, Agricultural Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Türkiye. Electronic address: [email protected].; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Türkiye. Electronic address: [email protected].; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Türkiye. Electronic address: [email protected].; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Türkiye. Electronic address: [email protected].; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Türkiye. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180077

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MeSH Terms: Pest Control, Pesticides, Green Chemistry Technology, Nanostructures, Agriculture, Crop Protection