Effect of phyto-synthesized silver nanoparticles on developmental stages of malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi and dengue vector, Aedes aegypti

Abstract

Rapidly synthesized phyto-mediated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using Artemisia nilagirica aqueous leaf filtrate has been confirmed through UV–visible spectrophotometer. The synthesized Ag NPs were further characterized using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) to determine the present of functional groups and average particle size (6.723 nm with cubic nature), respectively. Spherical shape (≤30 nm) of Ag NPs was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bio-efficacy of these nanoparticles showed larvicidal and pupicidal properties than the aqueous leaf extract treatment alone against developmental stages (I–IV instars and pupa) of malaria vector Anopheles stephensi and dengue vector Aedes aegypti at 0.25% concentration level. The LC₅₀ (LCL:UCL at 95% confidence limit) values of I–IV instar and pupa of An. stephensi were recorded at 0.343 (0.261:0.405), 0.169 (0.025:0.263), 0.198 (0.105:0.265), 0.141 (0.045:0.205) and 0.050 (0.606:0.224) % respectively and for Ae. aegypti (I–IV instar and pupa) 0.460 (0.364:0.537), 0.352 (0.239:0.432), 0.331 (0.833:0.549), 0.217 (0.228:0.378) and 0.161 (0.630:0.356) % were observed, after 24 h exposure. The first report of present investigation revealed that the rapid biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles using A. nilagirica leaf filtrate would be an effective potential alternative green larvicide for the control of mosquitoes at the developmental stages with eco-friendly approach.

Keywords:

• Artemisia nilagirica
• Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)
• Anopheles stephensi
• Aedes aegypti
• Larvicidal activity

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to The Management, Karpagam University, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore for providing all facilities required during this study.