Larvicidal and antioxidant activity of green silver nanoparticles synthesized using Musa acuminate peel extract against Aedes aegypti

Abstract

The present study pertains to the exploitation of biowaste generated through Banana (Musa acuminate L.) peels for the synthesis of green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their bioactivity was evaluated for managing the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti. UV-VIS specrtophotometery was used for confirming AgNPs synthesis and a peak was observed at 426 nm. Characterization of AgNPs was done using Scanning electron microscopy which depicted spherical shape of AgNPs while Transmission electron micrographs revealed their size to be ranging from 20 to 50 nm. AgNPs bioactivity was studied against III instar larvae following 24, 48 and 72 h exposure and values of LC50 and LC90 were analyzed using probit analysis. LC50 values ranged from 10.69 to 25.15 ppm with AgNPs at various time exposures. Antioxidant potential of these AgNPs was also evaluated to supplement these findings. This study highlights the potential of biowastes as a potent larvicide against Aedes aegypti.