Yeast-based nanofibers technologies for sustainable fruit fly pest management: a review

Numerous species within the family Tephritidae are major agricultural pests and infest a broad array of fruits and vegetables in tropical and subtropical regions. As a result, they pose a serious threat to global fruit production. Traditional pest management techniques often face limitations due to their harmful effects on the environment and reduced efficacy in variable field conditions such as rain, humidity, temperature, and light. Recently, electrospinning technology has demonstrated remarkable potential in the preparation of sustained carriers. While several review articles have addressed the use of electrospun nanofibers for pest control, no comprehensive review has specifically focused on yeast-based nanofibers in fruit fly management. This review highlights the significance of yeast-based nanofibers produced via electrospinning as a promising eco-friendly approach for fruit fly pest management. The unique properties of electrospun nanofibers such as large surface area, high porosity, and controlled release capabilities, improve the stability, longevity, and delivery efficiency of yeast-derived attractants. This novel approach addresses the issue of rapid volatilization and environmental breakdown of volatile compounds, prolonging the shelf life and increasing the field stability of biological attractants. This review synthesizes current knowledge yeast metabolism, genetic engineering of yeast for pest control, and the advancements in electrospinning for controlled release. The technical considerations are critically discussed, including polymer and solvent selection, and the impact of electrospinning on yeast viability and morphology. While emphasizing the multidisciplinary promise of this approach, we also identify key research gaps and future directions, such as optimizing encapsulation protocols, validating field performance, and addressing potential ecotoxicological impacts, to accelerate the translation of yeast-based nanofiber technology into practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions for fruit fly control.