Nanoemulsion-based plant essential oil formulations: in vitro evaluation of pesticidal activity against ectoparasites in poultry.

Ectoparasite infestations significantly impact the health and productivity of poultry. Chemical applications, although common for pest control, lead to pesticide residues and parasite resistance in poultry. Nanoemulsion-based plant essential oil formulations (NEOFs) provide a promising alternative for controlling poultry ectoparasites. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of NEOFs from clove, cinnamon, and turmeric essential oils (EOs) against ectoparasites, Menopon gallinae and Megninia ginglymura, under laboratory conditions. The toxicity and repellent properties of the NEOFs were examined, with the major chemical compounds of the EOs analyzed using chromatography mass spectrometer. Results identified eugenol as the dominant component in clove and cinnamon EOs (84.60 and 75.19%, respectively), while turmerone (68.46%) was the major compound in turmeric EO. NEOFs with clove:cinnamon:turmeric ratios of 4:0:0, 2:2:0, and 2:0:2 had particle size of 20.76 nm, 20.66 nm, and 89.56 nm, respectively, while those based on eugenol and turmerone standards had sizes <21.0 nm. In addition, NEOFs at 0.3% concentration with ratios of 4:0:0 and 2:2:0 achieved full control of both ectoparasites. These formulas demonstrated exceptional potency in exterminating ectoparasites, with LC50 and LC90 at <0.160 and <0.250%, respectively, 6 h after treatments. Furthermore, both NEOFs showed higher repellence responses in M. gallinae compared to M. ginglymura. The toxicities of these NEOFs were comparably effective against both parasites, showing no significant difference compared with chemical insecticide treatment. Therefore, further research will explore the practicality of using clove and cinnamon-derived NEOFs under farm conditions.

Efficient, Green, and Low-Cost Conversion of Bivalve-Shell Wastes to Value-Added Calcium Lactate.

This work presents the efficient, green, and low-cost preparation of calcium lactate by using bivalve-shell wastes (cockle, mussel, and oyster shells) as raw materials. Three bivalve shells, a cockle, mussel, and oyster, were used separately as an alternative calcium-source material for the preparation of calcium lactate. The bivalve-shell waste was cleaned and milled, obtaining calcium carbonate (CaCO3) powder, which reacted to the lactic acid, forming calcium lactate. The effects of different calcium sources (cockle, mussel, and oyster) and different lactic acid concentrations (6, 8, and 10 mol/L) on the physicochemical properties of the synthesized calcium lactates were then investigated. The results pointed out that the highest solubility of the product was observed when 6 mol/L lactic acid and cockle-shell derived CaCO3 were employed for the calcium lactate preparation. The thermal decompositions of all calcium lactates occurred in three processes: dehydration, ethyl-lactate elimination, and decarbonization, respectively. The results, obtained from an infrared spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer, thermogravimetric analyzer, and scanning electron microscope, confirmed the formation of calcium lactate pentahydrate (Ca(CH3CHOHCOO)2·5H2O). The diffractograms also indicated the presence of two enantiomers of Ca(CH3CHOHCOO)2·5H2O, namely, of dl- and l-enantiomers, which depended on the lactic acid concentration used in the preparation process. The morphologies of calcium lactates show the firewood-like crystals in different microsizes, together with smaller irregular crystals. In summary, this work reports an effective process to prepare the valuable calcium lactates by using the cheap bivalve-shell-derived CaCO3 as a renewable calcium source.