Hexosomal Dispersion: A Nano-Based Approach to Boost the Antifungal Potential of Citrus Essential Oils against Plant Fungal Pathogens

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 26; no. 20; p. 6284
• Main Authors: Sedeek, Mohamed S., Al-Mahallawi, Abdulaziz M., Hussien, Rania A. A., Ali, Ahmed M. Abdelhaleem, Naguib, Ibrahim A., Mansour, Mai K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 17-10-2021; MDPI
• Subjects: citrus; Citrus fruits; Contamination; Crop diseases; Dispersion; environmental contamination; Environmental impact; essential oil; Essential oils; Food; Fruits; Fungi; Fungicidal activity; Fungicides; Gas chromatography; hexosomes; Hydrocarbons; Lemons; Limonene; Nanotechnology; Oils & fats; Pathogens; Pesticides; Phase transitions; Plant diseases; Plant protection; Public health; Sediment pollution; Soil contamination; Soil pollution; Spectrometry; Volatility
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206284

The demand for natural fungicides to replace synthetic ones has surged since toxic residues persist in soils, causing environmental contamination and posing a serious threat to worldwide public health. In the context of crop protection and enhancing the efficiency and safety of fungicides, nanotechnology is an eco-friendly strategy in managing fungal pathogens. In the present study, essential oils were isolated from the peels of four citrus fruits (Citrus lemon, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus maxima, and Citrus sinensis) and were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis. Monoterpene hydrocarbon was the most predominant group and limonene was the most abundant in the four oils. The antifungal potential of the oils was investigated, and the most active oil (Citrus lemon) was loaded into hexosomal dispersion, and its antifungal potential was retested against the same fungi. The structurally unique nano-based formulation showed great potency for fungal control. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time the oil of Citrus lemon in nano-hexosomes has been formulated and its fungicidal activity examined. The data collected suggest that citrus essential oils (CEOs), especially when nano-formulated, could be successfully used in integrated fungus management programs.