Green and Effective Plant Essential oil Nanoemulsion for the German cockroach Control: A Novel and Environmentally Friendly Approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Nanotechnology Research Center, Medical Basic Research Sciences Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

4 Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

10.22034/jmpb.2026.369257.1952

Abstract

The German cockroach Blattella germanica L. poses a serious threat to human health and environmental hygiene. Plant essential oils are considered suitable alternatives to chemical insecticides for controlling these common household pests. This study aimed to develop nanoemulsions of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) and Eucalyptus globulus L. (eucalyptus) essential oils and evaluate their insecticidal activity against the German cockroach. Essential oils were extracted using a Clevenger apparatus. Nanoemulsions of rosemary, eucalyptus, and their 1:1 combination were prepared and characterized by particle size analysis (PSA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Bioassays were conducted using the standard contact method with a 30-minute exposure at concentrations of 5%, 7.1%, 10%, 14.1%, and 20%, with acetone as the control, on male German cockroaches under laboratory conditions. Mortality was recorded after 24 hours. The average particle sizes were 84.46 nm for eucalyptus, 91.33 nm for rosemary, and 99.16 nm for the combined nanoemulsion, all exhibiting spherical morphology. The lethal concentration values (LC5₀ and LC9₅) were 4.08% and 10.33% for eucalyptus, 4.79% and 11.31% for rosemary, and 7.09% and 26.56% for the combined nanoemulsion, respectively. The results indicate that individual nanoemulsions have higher efficacy compared to their combination, highlighting the importance of assessing both separate and combined effects to fully understand their insecticidal potential. These findings emphasize the potential of essential oil nanoemulsions as eco-friendly alternatives for managing German cockroach infestations.

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References

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 15, Issue 2
January and February 2026
Pages 236-242

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