Nature to nurture: Chitosan nanopowder a natural carbohydrate polymer choice of egg parasitoid, Trichogramma Japonicum Ashmead

Abstract

Chitosan is a naturally occurring linear biopolymer made of partially deacetylated acetyl and Nacetyl glucosamine. Its biocompatible physiochemical and biochemical properties are unmatched. Chitosan is transformed to nanopowder for use in agriculture and associated industries as nanocarriers for existing agrochemicals, ensuring the delayed release of chemicals with better solubility. Chitosan nanopowder applied to leaves or soil can activate a plant’s natural defences against insects and pathogens. These studies were carried out because there is a potential for toxicological risk linked with products created utilizing nanotechnology, such as chitosan nanopowder, and therefore researchers felt the need to investigate this. The egg parasitoides Trichogramma Japonicum Ashmead was used as a low-cost biomarker to determine the potential toxicity of chitosan nanopowder. This study looked into the possibility that the adult stage of the egg parasitoids, Trichogramma Japonicum Ashmead might be negatively impacted by chitosan nanopowder (80–100 nm). Unpaired t-test statistical analysis has been carried out. According to the statistical analysis, host eggs exposed to chitosan nanopowder showed noticeably greater parasitization than the control group. As a natural supply of carbohydrate polymers chitosan nanopowder promotes the parasitization of T. Japonicum. The findings showed that T. Japonicum favoured chitosan nanopowder. Through Y dual choice, eight-arm multiple choice, and no-choice olfactometer experiments, as well as images from a stereozoom microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the data was thoroughly supported. Future agricultural applications of chitosan nanopowder will benefit from a deeper understanding of our findings.