---
_id: '63099'
abstract:
- lang: eng
text: 'Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) employing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)
offers a promising, species-specific approach for protecting crops from insect
pests such as the cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala). However,
the environmental instability of dsRNA presents a major limitation to its field
application. In this study, we evaluate two distinct dsRNA formulation strategies
for improved stability and delivery: a bottom-up approach using chitosan-based
interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPEC) and a top-down approach employing functionalized
mesoporous silica carriers (SBA-15). Both systems were comprehensively characterized
in terms of size, surface potential, porosity, and release behavior. The results
revealed that IPECs exhibited release kinetics that were approximately one order
of magnitude faster than those of SBA-15 across all tested conditions. The two
formulations significantly improved dsRNA stability against UV and heat exposure
compared to free dsRNA. In feeding assays with P. chrysocephala, both carriers
achieved comparable gene silencing efficacy, though dsRNA@IPEC induced more immediate
effects, while dsRNA@SBA-15 displayed delayed but ultimately stronger reduction
in consumed leaf area, consistent with its slower release kinetics. We demonstrate
that despite structural and mechanistic differences, both delivery platforms effectively
stabilized and delivered dsRNA, and offered distinct advantages depending on application
needs. This work highlights how formulation strategies are key to successful SIGS
and supports the development of robust, field-adaptable formulation technologies
for sustainable pest management.'
article_number: '149697'
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Benjamin W.
full_name: Moorlach, Benjamin W.
last_name: Moorlach
- first_name: Robert
full_name: Epkenhans, Robert
last_name: Epkenhans
- first_name: Di
full_name: Ju, Di
last_name: Ju
- first_name: Banuja
full_name: Ravidas, Banuja
last_name: Ravidas
- first_name: Christian
full_name: Weinberger, Christian
id: '11848'
last_name: Weinberger
- first_name: Michael
full_name: Tiemann, Michael
id: '23547'
last_name: Tiemann
orcid: 0000-0003-1711-2722
- first_name: Judith
full_name: Buente, Judith
last_name: Buente
- first_name: Maik
full_name: Gaerner, Maik
last_name: Gaerner
- first_name: Martin
full_name: Wortmann, Martin
last_name: Wortmann
- first_name: Stefan
full_name: Scholten, Stefan
last_name: Scholten
- first_name: Michael
full_name: Rostas, Michael
last_name: Rostas
- first_name: Waldemar
full_name: Keil, Waldemar
last_name: Keil
- first_name: Anant V.
full_name: Patel, Anant V.
last_name: Patel
citation:
ama: Moorlach BW, Epkenhans R, Ju D, et al. DsRNA-based carriers with pH-tuneable
release kinetics for effective control of Psylliodes chrysocephala. International
Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2026;338. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.149697
apa: Moorlach, B. W., Epkenhans, R., Ju, D., Ravidas, B., Weinberger, C., Tiemann,
M., Buente, J., Gaerner, M., Wortmann, M., Scholten, S., Rostas, M., Keil, W.,
& Patel, A. V. (2026). DsRNA-based carriers with pH-tuneable release kinetics
for effective control of Psylliodes chrysocephala. International Journal of
Biological Macromolecules, 338, Article 149697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.149697
bibtex: '@article{Moorlach_Epkenhans_Ju_Ravidas_Weinberger_Tiemann_Buente_Gaerner_Wortmann_Scholten_et
al._2026, title={DsRNA-based carriers with pH-tuneable release kinetics for effective
control of Psylliodes chrysocephala}, volume={338}, DOI={10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.149697},
number={149697}, journal={International Journal of Biological Macromolecules},
publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Moorlach, Benjamin W. and Epkenhans, Robert and
Ju, Di and Ravidas, Banuja and Weinberger, Christian and Tiemann, Michael and
Buente, Judith and Gaerner, Maik and Wortmann, Martin and Scholten, Stefan and
et al.}, year={2026} }'
chicago: Moorlach, Benjamin W., Robert Epkenhans, Di Ju, Banuja Ravidas, Christian
Weinberger, Michael Tiemann, Judith Buente, et al. “DsRNA-Based Carriers with
PH-Tuneable Release Kinetics for Effective Control of Psylliodes Chrysocephala.”
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 338 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.149697.
ieee: 'B. W. Moorlach et al., “DsRNA-based carriers with pH-tuneable release
kinetics for effective control of Psylliodes chrysocephala,” International
Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 338, Art. no. 149697, 2026, doi:
10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.149697.'
mla: Moorlach, Benjamin W., et al. “DsRNA-Based Carriers with PH-Tuneable Release
Kinetics for Effective Control of Psylliodes Chrysocephala.” International
Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 338, 149697, Elsevier BV, 2026,
doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.149697.
short: B.W. Moorlach, R. Epkenhans, D. Ju, B. Ravidas, C. Weinberger, M. Tiemann,
J. Buente, M. Gaerner, M. Wortmann, S. Scholten, M. Rostas, W. Keil, A.V. Patel,
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 338 (2026).
date_created: 2025-12-15T09:54:41Z
date_updated: 2025-12-17T07:27:57Z
department:
- _id: '35'
- _id: '2'
- _id: '307'
doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.149697
intvolume: ' 338'
language:
- iso: eng
main_file_link:
- open_access: '1'
oa: '1'
publication: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
publication_identifier:
issn:
- 0141-8130
publication_status: published
publisher: Elsevier BV
quality_controlled: '1'
status: public
title: DsRNA-based carriers with pH-tuneable release kinetics for effective control
of Psylliodes chrysocephala
type: journal_article
user_id: '23547'
volume: 338
year: '2026'
...