Phytotoxic effects and environmental safety of nanoparticles incorporating a eucalyptus essential oil.

Nanoparticle formulations of eucalyptus essential oil show significantly reduced herbicidal activity compared to bulk oil, with LN-CEEO causing only 10% weed mortality at 100% concentration.

• Why it matters: Eucalyptus essential oils have herbicidal potential but are limited by volatility and hydrophobicity, necessitating safer and more effective delivery systems for weed control and environmental safety.
• What they did: Researchers incorporated eucalyptus globulus essential oil into lipid and keratin nanoparticles, achieving high encapsulation efficiencies (~99%) and distinct release profiles, then tested their effects on weeds and non-target plants.
• The result: Bulk oil caused 98% weed mortality, while LN-CEEO caused only 10%, and KN-CEEO had no effect; in non-target plants, KN-CEEO reduced growth and caused redox imbalances, whereas CEEO and LN-CEEO supported antioxidant activity and growth, indicating the importance of formulation optimization for safety and efficacy.