Nanoparticle-Mediated Control of Storage Pests: A Review

Managing stored product pests continues to be a major challenge for global food security, as traditional synthetic pesticides face rising issues such as insect resistance, environmental contamination, and human health hazards. This review explores the emerging use of nanotechnology as a revolutionary method for pest control, focusing on nanoparticle-based formulations like metal nanoparticles (silver, copper, zinc oxide), metal oxide nanoparticles (silica, titanium dioxide), and polymeric nanoparticles from natural biopolymers. Nanopesticides provide benefits over traditional pesticides through greater surface area, better bioavailability, controlled release, and improved stability of active agents. Eco-friendly green synthesis methods using plant extracts create alternatives that reduce toxic residues, while still effectively targeting key storage pests like Sitophilus oryzae, Tribolium castaneum, Callosobruchus maculatus, and Rhyzopertha dominica. Their actions include physical damage to the cuticle, oxidative stress, enzyme inhibition, and disruption of reproductive processes. Although laboratory results are promising, challenges such as scaling up production, regulatory approval, environmental impact assessments, and non-target effects remain. Future directions highlight the integration of nanoformulations into comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM), development of stimuli-responsive delivery systems, and safety evaluation frameworks. Combining nanotechnology with sustainable agriculture offers promising opportunities to reduce post-harvest losses while addressing environmental and health concerns linked to conventional chemical controls.