The development of nanoinsecticide containing citrus hystrix (Kaffir Lime) essential oil and its effect on ants

The existing insecticide contain organic solvent that is dangerous to the environment and human health. This study was conducted to develop nanoinsecticide based on nanoemulsion system to produce a more effective and safe nanoinsecticide. Essential oil extracted from Citrus hystrix leaves was used as the active ingredient for the system. The essential oil was extracted using steam distillation technique with amount of oil yield was 1.12%. Citronellal was the major compound identified based on the FTIR analysis result where it was effective to use against insects. Nanoemulsion formulation system consisted of 76% surfactant, 19% oil and 7% water was formulated by referring to the ternary phase diagram. This system used Tween 80 as surfactant, glycerol as co-surfactant with ratio of 1:1, soybean oil and Citrus hvstrix essential oil, and water. Oil mixture with different ratio of Citrus hystrix:soybean which were 8:2, 6:4, 5:5 dan 2:8 was used as the oil phase in the system. Nanoemulsion was able to produce by using oil mixture of 6:4, 5:5 dan 2:8. The system produced was stable and no phase separation was observed after 1 month. Bioassay test was conducted on ants to determine the mortality and repellency properties for the nanoemulsions containing oil mixture of 6:4 and 2:8. Nanoinsecticide that contained that highest amount of Citrus hystrix essential oil (6:4 ) was the most effective at mortality with mean mortality of 9.33 compared to nanoinsecticide with lower essential oil (2:8) with mean mortality of 3.67. As for repellency test, both nanoinsecticide system were effective as ant repellent.