Temperature-regulated microcapsules containing lavender essential oil are effective natural insecticide against Sitophilus granaries

In this study, temperature-regulated lavender oil (LavO)-@-nanocellulose (NC) microcapsules (LavO@NCms) were successfully prepared. Their structure, stability, thermolysis, effect of temperature on release performance, toxicity, and repellent activity against Sitophilus granaries were systematically studied. The surface of LavO@NCms had net-like cross-linking patterns with excellent encapsulation efficiency (35.6 – 40.1%). LavO@NCms also demonstrated high thermal stability. The in vitro release performance indicated that LavO@NCms continually released LavO, and the LavO release pattern followed the Weibull model, Fick’s diffusion law, and the case’s (II) transportation principle. LavO@NCms could exert prolonged toxicity against Sitophilus granaries through temperature-regulated release. Thus, LavO@NCms represent a potentially safe natural insecticide. [Display omitted] •Preparation of a kind of temperature-controlled microcapsules with superior encapsulation efficiency and thermal stability.•The release mechanism followed weibull model with combined-mechanism of fickian free diffusion and case II transport.•Potential applications in insecticide as a result of its long-acting toxic effect on Sitophilus granaries.