JOURNAL OF CHILEAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

Vol 71 No 2 (2026): Journal of The Chilean Chemical Society - 2nd Special Issue in Tribute to Professor Mario Silva (In Memoriam)
Original Research Papers

NANOEMULSION OF DYSPHANIA AMBROSIOIDES ESSENTIAL OIL FOR THE CONTROL OF HOUSEFLY (MUSCA DOMESTICA L.)

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  • GABRIELA OYARCE,
  • YENI PAREDES-PADILLA,
  • PATRICIA LOYOLA,
  • ALEJANDRA VILLAR,
  • ÁLVARO ROMERO,
  • J.C. JRODRÍGUEZ-MACIEL,
  • SERGIO BENAVIDES-VALENZUELA,
  • JOSÉ BECERRA,
  • HÉCTOR AGUILAR-BOLADOS,
  • GUSTAVO CABRERA-BARJAS,
  • GONZALO SILVA-AGUAYO
GABRIELA OYARCE
UDEC
Published September 22, 2026
Keywords
  • Essential oils,
  • Housefly,
  • Nanoemulsions
How to Cite
OYARCE, G., PAREDES-PADILLA, Y., LOYOLA, P., VILLAR, A., ROMERO, ÁLVARO, JRODRÍGUEZ-MACIEL, J., BENAVIDES-VALENZUELA, S., BECERRA, J., AGUILAR-BOLADOS, H., CABRERA-BARJAS, G., & SILVA-AGUAYO, G. (2026). NANOEMULSION OF DYSPHANIA AMBROSIOIDES ESSENTIAL OIL FOR THE CONTROL OF HOUSEFLY (MUSCA DOMESTICA L.). Journal of the Chilean Chemical Society, 71(2), 6536-6541. Retrieved from https://jcchems.com/index.php/JCCHEMS/article/view/3116

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Abstract

The essential oil of paico (Dysphania ambrosioides Mosyakin and Clemonts, 2002) is renowned worldwide for its medicinal properties and its effectiveness in controlling pests and diseases. One of the most widely used methods of controlling Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), a pest of medical, agricultural, and urban importance, is the use of synthetic insecticides. However, their extensive use has negative consequences, including pollution, harm to human health, and the development of resistance. The latter is a particularly prevalent problem in M. domestica, with over 80 cases of insecticide resistance worldwide to organophosphates, pyrethroids, and neonicotinoids. Given the need for alternative methods to control M. domestica, this study aimed to evaluate the fumigant activity of pure and formulated D. ambrosioides essential oil against adult M. domestica, as well as the stability of these formulations over time. Both pure and formulated essential oils exhibited high fumigant activity at concentrations below 5 µL L-1 of air. Formulation A exhibited the most significant toxicity after 24 hours (LC50 = 2.89 µL L-1 air), had an average droplet size of less than 20 nm, and remained stable for over 14 days. These results suggest that D. ambrosioides essential oil can be used at low concentrations to control M. domestica, and that formulating it as a nanoemulsion increases its insecticidal activity.

 

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