Feather keratin-functionalized nanomesoporous silica enhances the control effect of indoxacarb on Solenopsis invicta

Abstract Herein, a pesticide-controlled release system (IDC-loaded FK-HMS) with pH and reduced glutathione (GSH) response characteristics was designed and prepared, in which the carboxyl group of feather keratin (FK) was coupled with aminated hollow mesoporous silica (HMS), and indoxacarb (IDC) was loaded into HMS. The composite system was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-performance liquid chromatography. FK-HMS showed a high loading ratio (23.22%, w/w) on IDC while exhibiting dual sensitivity to pH value and reduction response. Compared with the same dose of the original IDC drug, IDC-loaded FK-HMS showed better killing activity against invasive species of Solenopsis invicta , which was because nanoscale FK-HMS was easily absorbed by Solenopsis invicta and entered midgut cells, reducing the effect of detoxification enzymes. Furthermore, low-dose IDC@FK-HMS effectively inhibited the actions of Solenopsis invicta , indicating that the insecticide-controlled release system based on FK-modified HMS nanoparticles is capable of sustained and long-term control of Solenopsis invicta .