Source: SEAMEO BIOTROP's Research Grant | 2020
Abstract:
Mint oil has a high potency in controlling stored product insect pest, such as
Tribolium castaneum. Development of mint oil into formulation is very necessary so that
mint oil can be applied easily without reducing the effectiveness and efficiency of control.
This study aims to (1) determine the appropriate technique in forming mint oil
nanoencapsulation as biofumigant, (2) obtain the mint oil nano-encapsulation fumigant,
and (3) to evaluate the toxicity of mint oil nan-encapsulation fumigant against T.
castaneum. Formulation of nanoparticultae PEG 6000-based has a better characteristics
compared to formulation of nanoparticulate nanobiosilica-based. The use of dietyl ether as
a solvent in nanoparticulate formulation based on nanobiosilica had an effect on the
formulation’s toxicity against T. castaneum, so that the toxicity was more influenced by
dietyl ether compared to the mint oil as main active compound. The LD95 value of
formulation NP12.5 is 0.902 g nanoparticulate/100 mL fumigation chamber or about 1.2,
1.4, and 2.2 times more toxic compared to the biofumigant with formulation NP10, NP7.5,
and NP10, respectively. However, the toxicity of each formulation in application with a
larger fumigation chamber was about 3 times lower compared to the smaller fumigation
chamber. Applications in a larger spaces require a high doses. This has an impact on the
use of formulation needed, so that the control is less efficient. The potential of mint oil
and its formulation needs to be tested for its effectiveness against other stored product
insect pest to expand the target pests.
Keyword: biofumigant, mint oil, formulation, T. castaneum