From Nature to Nanotech: Customizing Essential Oil Delivery for a Reduced Fungicide in Agriculture

Abstract

Modern agriculture is increasingly challenged by climate change, soil degradation, and the growing incidence of fungal diseases, which significantly reduce crop yields and quality. To mitigate these problems, the increased use of synthetic pesticides has become common; however, their overuse has led to environmental contamination, human health risks, and the emergence of resistant pathogens. Essential oils (EOs) have shown promise as a sustainable alternative due to their natural antifungal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Despite their potential, direct agricultural application of EOs is limited by volatility, poor water solubility, and instability under environmental conditions. Nanotechnology offers an innovative approach through the nanoencapsulation of EOs, enhancing their stability, bioavailability, and controlled release while minimizing volatilization losses. Among the available delivery systems, lipid-based nanoparticles, such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), stand out for their biocompatibility, environmental safety, and ability to prolong biological activity in the field. These systems also enable codelivery of EOs with biocontrol agents or micronutrients, thereby supporting integrated pest and disease management strategies. This review provides a timely and comprehensive synthesis of recent advances in the nanoencapsulation of EOs using lipid-based nanoplatforms, filling a critical gap in the literature by elucidating the pivotal role of NLCs in enabling sustainable, effective, and scalable strategies for fungal disease control in agriculture. Additionally, it highlights current challenges and future research directions related to large-scale production, field validation, and the assessment of ecological safety and potential effects on nontarget organisms.