Gellan gum and pectin-functionalised magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposites as nanocarriers for permethrin to control mosquito larvae

In the present study, the efficacy of gellan gum-magnetic graphene oxide (GG-GO-Fe 3 O 4 ) and pectin-magnetic graphene oxide (PEC-GO-Fe 3 O 4 ) nanocomposites as nanocarriers for permethrin to control Aedes aegypti larvae was investigated for the first time. The physicochemical properties of the nanocomposites were studied using various scientific instruments. The ability of GG-GO-Fe 3 O 4 and PEC-GO-Fe 3 O 4 to load and release permethrin in vitro system was determined using an ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrometer. FTIR analysis has demonstrated the change in intensity and wavenumber of absorption bands, confirming the successful encapsulation of permethrin into the nanocarriers. Based on STEM analysis, the highest increment in size of nanocarriers (85%) was obtained after permethrin loading. The nanocarriers prolonged the release of permethrin up to 16 h. The release profiles of permethrin from nanocarriers in rainwater were best fitted by Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model with correlation coefficient ( R 2 ) values of greater than 0.9522 for the mass ratio of permethrin:nanocarriers at 1:5, 1:15 and 1:25. Based on Abbott’s formula and Probit analysis, the LC 50 values for permethrin were between 3.72 and 11.12 mg/L. The application of permethrin:GG-GO-Fe 3 O 4 at mass ratio of 1:25 exhibited the highest mortality percentage of 88.20% following 72 h exposure to A. aegypti larvae.