Essential oil-based nanoinsecticides: ecological costs and commercial potential

The present chapter offers an updated overview on the practical employ of EO-based nanoinsecticides, with a major focus on their ecological costs and commercial potential. Starting from the characteristics and bioactivity information on plant EOs, we analyze (1) the advantages and challenges arising from the use of EOs for insect pest control, (2) status and limitations of the EO commercial applications and marketability; (3) the EO-based insecticide nanoformulations currently available (both nanoemul- sions and nanostructures, e.g., chitosan particles, liposomes, polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoparticles, cyclodextrin inclusion complexes), their strengthens and weaknesses; (4) the ecological costs and constraints of EO-based nanoinsecticides, in terms of nontarget impacts, sustainability of production, land use and consume, and the related commercial perspectives. In the conclusions, challenges for future research are proposed.