Reducing reliance on chemical pesticides: Advanced nanocarriers for loading and encapsulation of plant essential oils for enhanced agricultural disease prevention and postharvest protection

The growing overreliance on chemical pesticides in agriculture has spurred significant interest in plant essential oils (PEOs) as alternative antibacterial agents. However, the practical application of PEOs is limited by their inherent instability. Nanocarrier technology has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the antibacterial efficacy of PEOs. This review summarizes the main types of nanocarriers used for loading and encapsulating PEOs, with a focus on their loading capacity, controlled-release behavior, and antibacterial activity against postharvest pathogens. In addition, the potential applications of nanocarrier-loaded PEOs systems are specifically evaluated in the context of diverse agricultural requirements, such as field application, postharvest storage, preservation, and food packaging. Limitations associated with these systems, including potential environmental and safety risks, are also discussed. Based on current challenges, future research directions are proposed, emphasizing the development of intelligent composite nanocarriers and the establishment of lifecycle economic assessments and environmental risk evaluations. These advances are expected to reduce dependence on chemical pesticides and offer viable strategies for crop disease management and postharvest protection. Advanced nanocarriers for encapsulating and delivering plant essential oils to enhance agricultural disease management and postharvest preservation. • Nanocarriers overcome the key limitations of volatility and instability in PEOs, enhancing their practical applications. • Encapsulating PEOs in nanocarriers offers a sustainable strategy for crop protection and post-harvest management. • The design of nanocarriers is closely linked to industrial crops, generating new value in antibacterials and preservatives.