Biogenic Silica Nanoparticles Enhance Beauveria bassiana Bioavailability and Efficacy for Sustainable Pest Control

Biogenic silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2–NPs_bio) synthesized using Fusarium oxysporum were combined with Beauveria bassiana in a Pickering emulsion to enhance fungal bioavailability and insecticidal efficacy. The biogenic nanoparticles exhibited larger diameters (324 ± 3 nm) and lower ζ-potential (−23 ± 0.2 mV) than commercial SiO2–NPs, while showing no significant cytotoxicity in HaCat and 3T3 cell lines. Encapsulation markedly improved fungal performance, resulting in 100% mortality of Spodoptera frugiperda, S. cosmioides, and Chrysodeixis includens, and 86% mortality of Rachiplusia nu, significantly higher than isolated nanoparticles or fungus. The nanoformulation also protected B. bassiana against UV radiation and showed no phytotoxic effects. This study demonstrates, for the first time, a sustainable biogenic SiO2-based Pickering emulsion as an effective carrier for entomopathogenic fungi in pest control.