Preparation of nanoliposomes containing the extracts of Eleocharis dulcis corm-peels and ascertaining their aphidicidal activity against Megoura crassicauda and Acyrthosiphon pisum

Nanotechnology can improve the stability, slow release, and effectiveness of botanical pesticides. Eleocharis dulcis peel extract (EDPE) was found to have a potent aphidicidal activity in our past study. In order to increase its properties, EDPE nanoliposomes was prepared and its aphidicidal activity was also tested. The optimal preparation process of EDPE nanoliposomes was determined by single-factor examination and Box-Behnken response surface test design as soybean lecithin: cholesterol: EDP extract mass ratio of was 5:4.1:1, medium PBS pH of 7.3, hydration temperature of 45 °C, and chloroform as the organic solvent; the encapsulation ratio of EDPE nanoliposomes prepared by using the optimal prescription was 90.67%. The scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy results showed that the nanoliposomes were round or ova; and the particle size was 222.55 ± 2.59 nm; the polydispersity index was 0.11 ± 0.03; the zeta potential was − 4.78 ± 2.61 mV. The stability test showed that the EDPE nanoliposomes had good stability within 60 d. EDPE nanoliposomes showed potent aphidicidal activity, and the LC50 were 136.59 and 83.99 mg/L for 48 and 72 h against Megoura crassicauda, respectively; and 315.78 and 154.34 mg/L against Acyrthosiphon pisum, respectively, higher than that of matrine. In addition, compared to non-capsulated EDPE, EDPE nano-liposomes improved both aphidicidal activity and the effective period. It follows then that EDPE nanoliposomes have the potential to be developed into botanical aphicides.