Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using <i>Atalantia monophylla</i> : A potential eco-friendly agent for controlling blood-sucking vectors

Abstract

Abstract Developing floral-based replacement molecules might manage blood-sucking vectors in an eco-friendly way. Atalantia monophylla ( Am ) aqueous leaf extract (ALE) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were evaluated against mosquitoes ( Aedes vittatus, Anopheles subpictus , and Culex vishnui ) and ticks ( Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Rhipicephalus microplus , and R. sanguineus ) at different concentrations. Phytochemical screening and AgNPs’ synthesis were performed on ALE of A. monophylla . UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope were used to examine the synthesized Am -AgNPs. A. monophylla’s ALE included alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, triterpenes, coumarins, anthraquinones, and phenolics. Am -AgNPs had a higher LC 50 (22.19, 23.92, 26.09, 40.25, 51.87, and 60.53 μg·mL −1 , respectively) than leaf aqueous extract (LAE) against Ae. vittatus, An. subpictus, Cx. vishnui, H. bispinosa, R. microplus , and R. sanguineus larvae. A. monophylla ALE and Am -AgNPs’ bio-toxicity was investigated against aquatic and terrestrial non-target species ( Acilius sulcatus, Anisops bouvieri, Araneus mitificus , and Cyrtophora moluccensis ) with LC 50 values ranging from 2,094.5 to 10,532.8 μg·mL −1 , respectively. A. monophylla ALE and Am -AgNPs had little negative impacts on the chosen non-target fauna. Environmental protection is important nowadays. Green AgNPs are low-cost, readily accessible, environmentally safe, and effective pesticides. Am-AgNPs are effective alternative insecticides, requiring a considerable study on this plant to control blood-sucking vectors for worldwide human/animal health importance.