Biosynthesis, characterization, and acute toxicity of Berberis  tinctoria-fabricated silver nanoparticles against the Asian tiger  mosquito, Aedes albopictus, and the mosquito predators  Toxorhynchites splendens and Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides.
Aedes albopictus is an important arbovirus vector, including dengue. Currently, there is no specific treatment for dengue. Its prevention solely depends on effective vector control measures. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized using a cheap leaf extract of Berberis tinctoria as reducing and stabilizing agent and tested against Ae. albopictus and two mosquito natural enemies. AgNPs were characterized by using UV–vis spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. In laboratory conditions, the toxicity of AgNPs was evaluated on larvae and pupae of Ae. albopictus. Suitability Index/Predator Safety Factor was assessed on Toxorhynchites splendens and Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides. The leaf extract of B. tinctoria was toxic against larval instars (I–IV) and pupae of Ae. albopictus; LC50 was 182.72 ppm (I instar), 230.99 ppm (II), 269.65 ppm (III), 321.75 ppm (IV), and 359.71 ppm (pupa). B. tinctoria-synthesized AgNPs were highly effective, with LC50 of 4.97 ppm (I instar), 5.97 ppm (II), 7.60 ppm (III), 9.65 ppm (IV), and 14.87 ppm (pupa). Both the leaf extract and AgNPs showed reduced toxicity against the mosquito natural enemies M. thermocyclopoides and T. splendens. Overall, this study firstly shed light on effectiveness of B. tinctoria-synthesized AgNPs as an eco-friendly nanopesticide, highlighting the concrete possibility to employ this newer and safer tool in arbovirus vector control programs.
Palanisamy Mahesh
PM
Kumar
Kadarkarai
K
Murugan
Pari
P
Madhiyazhagan
Kalimuthu
K
Kovendan
Duraisamy
D
Amerasan
Balamurugan
B
Chandramohan
Devakumar
D
Dinesh
Udaiyan
U
Suresh
Marcello
M
Nicoletti
Mohamad Saleh
MS
Alsalhi
Sandhanasamy
S
Devanesan
Hui
H
Wei
Kandasamy
K
Kalimuthu
Jiang-Shiou
JS
Hwang
Annalisa
A
Lo Iacono
Giovanni
G
Benelli
D000330:Aedes / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D028142:Berberis / Q000378:metabolism*; D033342:Copepoda / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009033:Culicidae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000187:drug effects; D007306:Insecticides / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000633:toxicity; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011679:Pupa / Q000187:drug effects; D012834:Silver; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D007306:Insecticides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012834:Silver