The efficacy of Ximenia americana plant mediated silver nanoparticles against dengue vector mosquito larvae [Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae)]

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology and day to day expanding its roots of knowledge to various branches of Science and fulfilling human conveniences. To manage vector populations, new tools have been emerging through nanotechnology. Nanoparticles possess peculiar toxicity mechanisms due to surface volume ratio, and this may actively contribute to their excellent larvicidal potential against Aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue is a mosquito borne disease and making major public health issue worldwide. Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) prefers to bread in artificial containers, and anti-larval measures with Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae) leaf mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) proves to be a potential substitute for the existing organophosphorus insecticides like temephos, malathion and fenthion etc., for mosquito control programme. Larvae were exposed to varying concentrations of plant extracts and synthesized silver nanoparticles for 24 hours. From the results, it was found that plant extracts showed moderate larvicidal effects (LC50 at 179.87 and LC90 at 376.77 ppm) but, the synthesized silver nanoparticles had found to be toxic to larvae at LC50 (0.63 ppm) and LC90 (1.20 ppm). This research highlighted that, the Ximenia americana leaf mediated AgNPs are an efficient and eco-friendly agents against Ae. aegypti mosquito, though the laboratory studies have shown the promising results, yet their efficacy in the field is to be tested for effective mosquito larval control.