This review presents an updated scenario of findings and evolutions of encapsulation of bioactive compounds for food and agricultural applications. Many polymers have been reported as encapsulated agents, such as sodium alginate, gum Arabic, chitosan, cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, pectin, Shellac, xanthan gum, zein, pullulan, maltodextrin, whey protein, galactomannan, modified starch, polycaprolactone, and sodium caseinate. The main encapsulation methods investigated in the study include both physical and chemical ones, such as freeze-drying, spray-drying, extrusion, coacervation, complexation, and supercritical anti-solvent drying. Consequently, in the food area, bioactive peptides, vitamins, essential oils, caffeine, plant extracts, fatty acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and terpenes are the main compounds encapsulated. In the agricultural area, essential oils, lipids, phytotoxins, medicines, vaccines, hemoglobin, and microbial metabolites are the main compounds encapsulated. Most scientific investigations have one or more objectives, such as to improve the stability of formulated systems, increase the release time, retain and protect active properties, reduce lipid oxidation, maintain organoleptic properties, and present bioactivities even in extreme thermal, radiation, and pH conditions. Considering the increasing worldwide interest for biomolecules in modern and sustainable agriculture, encapsulation can be efficient for the formulation of biofungicides, biopesticides, bioherbicides, and biofertilizers. With this review, it is inferred that the current scenario indicates evolutions in the production methods by increasing the scales and the techno-economic feasibilities. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for most of the encapsulation methods is going beyond TRL 6, in which the knowledge gathered allows for having a functional prototype or a representative model of the encapsulation technologies presented in this review.

The intensive use of chemical pesticides has significantly impacted the environment and human health, encouraging the search for more sustainable and environmentally safe pest management strategies. In this context, botanical pesticides emerge as a promising solution, distinguished by their natural origin and lower toxicity. Although botanical insecticides have demonstrated their potential, these solutions are still little explored in scientific and technological terms, representing an expanding field to develop safer agricultural biological pesticides. The Meliaceae family, especially the Trichilia genus, has been recognized for its richness in bioactive compounds with insecticidal potential. However, Trichilia claussenii remains little studied, despite its occurrence in Brazilian ecosystems. Therefore, this article aims to analyze the information on the botanical and phytochemical characteristics and bioinsecticidal activity of T. claussenii, aiming to highlight its potential as a natural resource for biological pest control. The leaf and fruit extracts of T. claussenii revealed the presence of bioactive metabolites. The group of terpenes is highlighted, notable for their role in the chemical defense of plants and for their recognized insecticidal activity. In the leaf extract, terpenes were the most abundant class, representing 46.3% of the total identified. In the fruit extract, terpenes were also prominent, although to a lesser extent (34.5%). Additionally, a phytochemical screening of the aqueous leaf extract indicated the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, and alkaloids, compounds commonly associated with insecticidal activity. By consolidating this knowledge, we aim to encourage new research and the development of a botanical bioinsecticide based on this species.

The search for sustainable pest management alternatives has intensified due to the risks of chemical pesticides. Entomopathogenic fungi and plant extracts, rich in insecticidal secondary metabolites, are among the most promising approaches. Integrating these agents can enhance complementary mechanisms and reduce environmental impact. This study evaluated the insecticidal potential of fungi produced by submerged fermentation (Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Trichoderma asperelloides, Isaria javanica, and Cordyceps fumosorosea) applied alone and combined with Trichilia claussenii extract against Euschistus heros and Spodoptera frugiperda. Fermentation showed good fungal adaptation and high sporulation, especially B. bassiana (8.33 × 10⁸ spores mL⁻¹) and T. asperelloides (9.42 × 10⁷ spores mL⁻¹). Adding the plant extract increased colony-forming units, notably for M. anisopliae (7.40 × 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹) and B. bassiana (1.55 × 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹). In bioassays, cell suspensions were more effective than isolated metabolites, reaching 97.8% mortality for E. heros and 91.5% for S. frugiperda with B. bassiana plus extract. These results indicate that combining entomopathogenic fungi with T. claussenii extract is a promising strategy for developing efficient and sustainable biopesticides, contributing directly to integrated pest management practices with reduced environmental impact.

The occurrence of insect pests in crops directly affects the yield of plants and grains. This scenario led to the mass investigation of chemical products that overcome these adversities and provide control potential. Nonetheless, over the years, this strategy resulted in high production costs, generation of waste harmful to the environment, and resistance of target insects. The adoption of alternative practices, such as the formulation and production of products of microbial origin, emerges as an encouraging tool compared to control alternatives, indicating a sustainability bias, and allowing a reduction in the risks of human and animal contamination. The purpose of this study was to perform bioprospecting for microbial agents with potential insecticidal effects. The isolated microorganisms were submitted to submerged fermentation, at 28 °C and 120 rpm, for seven days. The fermented broth was filtered using a vacuum pump and centrifuged at 3200× g and 10 °C for 10 min. Initially, 163 microbial agents were collected. Subsequently, a pre-selection of the 50 most promising bioagents was conducted, based on the mortality rates (%) of the applied isolates to target pests. Furthermore, a global mathematical modeling design was created, indicating the best potential microorganisms. Moreover, to stipulate the difference between treatments, dilutions of the fermented broths of each microorganism were conducted (n × 10⁻⁵–n × 10⁻⁸). Mortality was maximum (100%) for Helicoverpa zea and Euschistus heros. Other encouraging results were indicated in the control of Anticarsia gemmatalis and Chrysodeixis includens (up to 87.5%) and Elasmopalpus lignosellus (up to approximately 83.5%). Fungal isolates were identified as Talaromyces piceae. Among the bacteria, based on sequencing of the 16S ribosomal gene, the isolates were identified as Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Paenibacillus ottowii, and Clostridium sphenoides. The results obtained are relevant to the scientific community and, especially, are interesting for companies that are operating in this field in the agricultural sector.

O transporte de cargas que move a economia do Brasil é conduzido com soberania através do sistema rodoviário, sobrelevando o motorista de caminhão a uma profissão de enorme importância para os diversos segmentos econômicos, em especial, para o agronegócio. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar as condições ergonômicas e ambientais dos postos de trabalho de motoristas de caminhão que atuam em atividades vinculadas ao agronegócio. O estudo de caso foi realizado na Fronteira Oeste com motoristas profissionais que executam tarefas no meio rural e agroindustrial. Para análise postural, executou-se filmagens e a geração de 240 fotos sequenciais como referencial do ciclo de atividade. Através do Software Ergolândia 6.0 as imagens foram analisadas pelo método RULA, que resultou na necessidade de intervenção na postura dos motoristas. Por meio do Questionário Bipolar foi observado que a atividade exercida pelos motoristas apresenta um quadro doloroso. Em relação as análises de ruído ocupacional e temperatura, nenhum parâmetro apresentou conforto aos indivíduos conforme a normalização da NR 17. Os valores de iluminação mostraram-se bastante deficientes devida à falta de uma norma específica para o interior da cabine de caminhões.