Botanical extracts and green-synthesized surfactants as bio-agents for agricultural insect pest control
Novel bio-based pest control agents derived from agricultural and industrial plant waste extracts combined with green-synthesized surfactants and new-mode-of-action chemicals. Designed to combat insect resistance while maintaining high safety profiles and low toxicity to non-target predators, offering sustainable alternatives for agricultural and public health pest management.
Overview
This research program develops environmentally friendly bio-agents for controlling agricultural and public health insect pests. The approach combines two complementary strategies: botanical extracts recovered from agricultural and industrial plant waste streams, and green-synthesized surfactants and novel chemicals with new modes of action. Together, these address the growing challenge of insect resistance to conventional pesticides while preserving beneficial non-target species. By converting food processing and agricultural residues into active pest control ingredients, the work also supports circular-economy objectives and reduces reliance on synthetic agrochemicals.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Plant waste extraction: Agricultural residues and food processing by-products are collected and extracted using solvents of varying polarities, with chemical composition characterized via GC-mass spectrometry analysis.
- Green synthesis: Surfactants and active chemical compounds are synthesized using environmentally responsible methods, with structures confirmed through standard analytical techniques.
- Resistance management: New chemical structures with novel modes of action are designed to delay or prevent the buildup of insect resistance.
- Bioassay validation: Compounds are evaluated against target insect species using recommended protocols, with LC50 values and statistical parameters calculated to confirm efficacy.
- Safety assessment: Morphological malformations, enzymatic activity, and broader biological impacts are measured, confirming low toxicity to non-target predators and a high safety profile.
Technology readiness level
The program is currently at an early-to-mid stage of laboratory validation. Initial extraction, synthesis, and bioassay work has been completed, and promising activity has been demonstrated against both agricultural and public health insect pests. A two-year roadmap is in place to expand the library of extracts and compounds, deepen biological evaluations, and pursue research publication. The team is actively seeking partners to provide chemicals, reagents, solvents, analytical kits, laboratory equipment and glassware, analysis services, publication support, and funding for key personnel to accelerate development toward field-ready formulations.
About Ain Shams University
Ain Shams University is a comprehensive public research university in Cairo serving a large and diverse academic community. Industry engagement is enabled by co-located clinical and engineering facilities, where university hospitals, prototyping workshops, and shared instrumentation support applied testing, validation, and trials near campus. Companies also connect through innovation and entrepreneurship hubs, contract research, and executive education, with the Greater Cairo location providing ready access to suppliers, regulators, and customers. Research activities are supported by competitive national funding programs and international sponsors, alongside industry-funded collaborations. A central technology transfer office assists with IP strategy, licensing, and startup formation to streamline collaboration.
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