Chemical study of insect-plant interactions: a contribution to biorational control of crop pests

由于对当前杀虫剂的抗性的进化，迫切需要用于管理昆虫害虫的新解决方案。该项目的重点是开发和生物活性测试的新型纳米技术配方的植物次生代谢产物，可以提供新的选择，为作物保护。卡洛斯联邦大学（UFSCar）小组的初步数据显示，某些植物类黄酮与Mg（II）复合的纳米技术制剂大大减少了昆虫的生长。基尔大学（KU）小组用PAA（聚（烯丙胺））精油纳米技术配方进行的初步实验显示出非常显著的驱避作用，与传统配方材料相比，活性大大增强。英国与巴西的合作将为加强这一新的、有前途的研究领域提供一个理想的机会。该项目包括讲习班和互访，以建立小组之间的研究网络。这两个小组将分享专业知识，并共同努力，创造新的纳米技术配方的植物次生代谢产物（类黄酮，如橙皮苷和柚皮素，酚酸和精油）。将进行平行实验，测试针对选定昆虫的活动，选择这些昆虫是因为它们与巴西农业和杀虫剂耐药性挑战相关。对西部花蓟马、西花蓟马和桃-马铃薯蚜虫、桃蚜的生物测定将在KU进行;对粉虱、烟粉虱的生物测定将在圣保罗州立大学（UNESP）进行;对秋粘虫、草地贪夜蛾的生物测定将在UFSCar进行。将使用既定方法检测抗生素、拒食剂和驱避剂活性。在泵启动项目中进行的实验将揭示利用纳米技术改进植物次级代谢物配方以用于防治昆虫的潜力。该项目将受益于KU药学院Co-I的专业知识，KU药学院在为医疗部门开发纳米技术制剂方面具有相当的专业知识。我们将考虑在多大程度上可以将已经开发的低成本医药技术转化为农业领域。除了实证研究计划，我们还将对该领域进行文献综述，并将其提交给高质量的科学期刊，作为对知识的贡献。我们认为，该项目所涉及的学科（化学、医学和昆虫学）之间有相当大的交叉交流潜力。这有可能使农业配方技术通过使用已经为医学开发的方法“跨越”进入纳米技术。此外，当然，通过与处于作物保护纳米技术发展前沿的巴西科学家分享见解，将获得见解。该项目有相当大的潜力产生急需的新工具来管理作物害虫。该项目将使我们能够测试假设，即植物次生代谢物的生物活性可以通过新型纳米技术制剂来增强。

New solutions for managing insect pests are urgently needed due to evolution of resistance to current insecticides. This project focuses on development and bioactivity testing of novel nanotech formulations of plant secondary metabolites that could provide new options for crop protection. The Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) group has strong preliminary data showing that nanotech formulations of certain plant flavonoids complexed with Mg (II) substantially reduce growth of insects. Preliminary experiments done by the Keele University (KU) group with PAA (poly(allylamine)) nanotech formulations of essential oils have shown highly significant repellent action, with greatly enhanced activity compared to conventionally formulated material. UK-Brazil collaboration would provide an ideal opportunity to strengthen this new and promising area of research. The project includes Workshops and exchange visits to build a research network between the groups. Both groups will share expertise and work together to create novel nanotech formulations of plant secondary metabolites (flavonoids such as Hesperidin and Naringenin, phenolic acids and essential oils). Parallel experiments will be conducted testing activity against selected insects, chosen due to their relevance to Brazilian agriculture and insecticide resistance challenges. Bioassays with Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, and peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae, will be conducted at KU; with whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, at São Paulo State University (UNESP), and with fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda at UFSCar. Antibiotic, antifeedant and repellent activity will be tested for using established methods. The experiments conducted in the pump-priming project will reveal the potential for use of nanotechnology to improve the formulation of plant secondary metabolites for use against insects. The project will benefit from the expertise in the KU School of Pharmacy Co-I who has considerable expertise in development of nanotech formulations for the medical sector. We will consider the extent to which low cost technologies already developed for medicines can be translated into the agricultural field. In addition to the programme of empirical research, we will also conduct a literature review of the area and submit this to a high quality scientific journal as a contribution to knowledge. We think there is considerable potential for cross-fertilisation between the disciplines involved in the project (chemistry, medicine and entomology). This has potential to allow agricultural formulation technology to "leapfrog" into nanotechnology by using approaches already developed for Medicine. Furthermore, there will, of course, be insights gained by sharing insights with the Brazilian scientists who are at the forefront of the development of nanotechnology for crop protection. The project has considerable potential to generate much needed new tools for managing insect pests of crops.The project will allow us to test the hypothesis that bioactivity of plant secondary metabolites can be enhanced by delivery via novel nanotech formulations.