Larvicidal Activity of Biosynthesized Zinc Nanoparticles (ZnO) against Dengue Fever Vector, Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is responsible for the transmission of several viruses to many vertebrates and humans such as yellow fever virus, chikungunya virus, and dengue fever virus. Controlling of Ae. aegypti is considered a paramount strategy in eliminating the spread of diseases. The present study was performed to investigate the larvicidal activity of zinc nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) synthesized using an aqueous extract of Lantana camara leaves against dengue fever vector, Ae. aegypti. Synthesized ZnO-NPs were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Obtained results of TEM showed the occurrence of ZnO-NPs with sizes ranging between 12.2 and 25.3 nm. Results of LSPR showed the occurrence of a single absorption peak at the range of 356-360 nm indicating the presence of spherical-shaped ZnO-NPs. Aqueous extract from leaves of L. camara recorded 100.0 and 28.0% larval mortality at 400 and 100 ppm, respectively. While100.0 and 29.33% larval mortality were recorded at 35 and 5 ppm of synthesized ZnO-NPs, respectively. Treatment of larvae with L. camara synthesized ZnO-NPs induced a significant (P<0.05) prolongation in both larval and pupal durations at all concentrations used, as compared with control group. Generally, synthesized ZnO-NPs have a significant efficacy against Ae. aegypti larvae than L. camara leaves aqueous extract with LC50 and LC90 values of 14.85 and 30.41 ppm vs. 182.39 and 356.69 ppm for leaves aqueous extract, respectively. Overall, synthesized ZnO-NPs have a significant efficacy against the dengue fever vector, Ae. aegypti different stages than leaves aqueous extract.

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