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

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 LC50 (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 LC50 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.