Pest control revolution: Nanoparticles and RNAi

Insect pests and pathogens are responsible for substantial crop losses in agriculture, prompting the use of synthetic pesticides that raise environmental concerns. An alternative, environmentally friendly pest control mechanism involves the external application of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) to suppress gene expression in pests. However, the efficacy of dsRNA delivery in open fields varies, and stability in different insect guts poses challenges. To address these issues, nanocarrier delivery systems have been developed to enhance dsRNA stability and efficacy. Recent advancements in nanoparticle-mediated delivery include layered double hydroxide, carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, liposomes, and cell-penetrating peptides. These nanocarriers improve dsRNA stability in the environment and demonstrate promising results in pest control applications.