Phytofabrication, characterization of silver nanoparticles using Hippophae rhamnoides berries extract and their biological activities.

Introduction: Fabrication of plant-based metal nanoparticles has yielded promising results, establishing this approach as viable, sustainable, and non-toxic in the biomedical sector for targeted drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, biosensing, cancer therapy, and antimicrobial treatments. Methods: The present work demonstrates the suitability of Hippophae rhamnoides berries for the instant green synthesis of silver nanoparticles to check their antioxidant, lipid peroxidation, and antimicrobial potential. The preliminary characterization of Hippophae rhamnoides-mediated AgNPs was validated by monitoring the color shift in the solution from pale yellow to reddish brown, which was further confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy and the plasmon peaks were observed at 450 nm. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to evaluate the surface topography and structure of AgNPs. Herein, the antioxidant potential of synthesized AgNPs was investigated using DPPH free radical assay and the antimicrobial efficacy of similar was checked against E. coli and S. aureus by following MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (Minimum bactericidal concentration) assay. Along with the inhibitory percentage of lipid peroxidation was analysed by following TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive species) assay. Results & discussion: The results revealed that the AgNPs were spherical in shape with an average size distribution within the range of 23.5-28 nm and a crystalline structure. Negative zeta potential (-19.7 mV) revealed the physical stability of synthesized AgNPs as the repulsive force to prevent immediate aggregation. The bioactive functional moieties involved in reducing bulk AgNO3 into AgNPs were further validated by FTIR. TBARS was adapted to test lipid peroxidation, and Hippophae rhamnoides-mediated AgNPs showed a 79% inhibition in lipid peroxidation compared to Hippophae rhamnoides berries extract as 65%. Furthermore, the antibacterial tests showed 37 ± 0.01 mm and 35 ± 0.0132 mm, zones of inhibition against E. coli MTCC 1698 and S. aureus MTCC 3160 with MIC and MBC values of 1 mg/mL, respectively.

Entomopathogenic Fungi: An Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Sustainable Nanoparticles and Their Nanopesticide Properties.

The agricultural industry could undergo significant changes due to the revolutionary potential of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has a broad range of possible applications and advantages, including insect pest management using treatments based on nanoparticle insecticides. Conventional techniques, such as integrated pest management, are inadequate, and using chemical pesticides has negative consequences. As a result, nanotechnology would provide ecologically beneficial and effective alternatives for insect pest control. Considering the remarkable traits they exhibit, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are recognized as potential prospects in agriculture. Due to their efficiency and great biocompatibility, the utilization of biologically synthesized nanosilver in insect pest control has significantly increased nowadays. Silver nanoparticles have been produced using a wide range of microbes and plants, which is considered an environmentally friendly method. However, among all, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have the most potential to be used in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles with a variety of properties. Therefore, in this review, different ways to get rid of agricultural pests have been discussed, with a focus on the importance and growing popularity of biosynthesized nanosilver, especially silver nanoparticles made from fungi that kill insects. Finally, the review highlights the need for further studies so that the efficiency of bio-nanosilver could be tested for field application and the exact mode of action of silver nanoparticles against pests can be elucidated, which will eventually be a boon to the agricultural industry for putting a check on pest populations.

Xorides xylotrechi sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Xoridinae) parasitizing Xylotrechus stebbingi (Gahan, 1906) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in India.

New xoridine species, Xorides xylotrechi sp. n., from India is described and illustrated. The parasitoid was reared from the larvae of the xylophagous beetle, Xylotrechus stebbingi (Gahan, 1906), infesting Juglans regia L. Notes on parasitoid behaviour and biology are also provided with a brief description of female reproductive system and venom apparatus.

Extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Bacillus megaterium against malarial and dengue vector (Diptera: Culicidae).

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles has provoked nowadays and alternative to physical and chemical approaches. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized extracellular method using Bacillus megaterium. The AgNPs formations were confirmed initially through color change, and the aliquots were characterized through UV-visible spectrophotometer, followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The surface plasmon resonance band was shown at 430 nm in UV-vis spectrophotometer. The bioreduction was categorized through identifying the compounds responsible for the AgNP synthesis, and the functional group present in B. megaterium cell-free culture was scrutinized using FTIR. The topography and morphology of the particles were determined using SEM. In addition, this biosynthesized AgNPs were found to show higher insecticidal efficacy against vector mosquitoes. The LC50 and LC90 were found to be 0.567, 2.260; 0.90, 4.44; 1.349, 8.269; and 1.640, 9.152 and 0.240, 0.955; 0.331, 1.593; 0.494, 2.811; and 0.700, 4.435 with respect to the first, second, third, and fourth instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. All the calculated χ (2) values are highly significant compared with the tabulated value. Therefore, B. megaterium-synthesized silver nanoparticles would be used as a potent larvicidal agent against Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti.

Optimization and synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Isaria fumosorosea against human vector mosquitoes.

The efficacy of silver generated larvicide with the help of entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria fumosorosea (Ifr) against major vector mosquitoes Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. The Ifr-silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized structurally and functionally using UV-visible spectrophotometer followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The optimum pH (alkaline), temperature (30 °C) and agitation (150 rpm) for AgNP synthesis and its stability were confirmed through colour change. Ae. aegypti larvae (I-IV instars) were found highly susceptible to synthesized AgNPs than the larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus. However, the mortality rate was indirectly proportional to the larval instar and the concentration. The lethal concentration that kills 50% of the exposed larvae (LC50) and lethal concentration that kills 90% of the exposed larvae (LC90) values of the tested concentration are 0.240, 0 0.075.337, 0.430, 0.652 and 1.219, 2.210, 2.453, 2.916; 0.065, 0.075, 0.098, 0.137 and 0.558, 0.709, 0.949, 1.278 ppm with respect to 0.03 to 1.00 ppm of Ifr-AgNPs against first, second, third and fourth instars of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti, respectively. This is the first report for synthesis of AgNPs using Ifr against human vector mosquitoes. Hence, Ifr-AgNPs would be significantly used as a potent mosquito larvicide.

Myco-synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Beauveria bassiana against dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

The efficacy of silver synthesized biolarvicide with the help of entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, was assessed against the different larval instars of dengue vector, Aedes aegypti. The silver nanoparticles were observed and characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). A surface plasmon resonance band was observed at 420 nm in UV-vis spectrophotometer. The characterization was confirmed by shape (spherical), size 36.88-60.93 nm, and EDX spectral peak at 3 keV of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized silver nanoparticles have been tested against the different larval instars of Ae. aegypti at different concentrations for a period of 24 h. Ae. aegypti larvae were found more susceptible to the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The LC50 and LC90 values are 0.79 and 1.09 ppm with respect to the Ae. aegypti treated with B. bassiana (Bb) silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). First and second instar larvae of Ae. aegypti have shown cent percent mortality while third and fourth instars found 50.0, 56.6, 70.0, 80.0, and 86.6 and 52.4, 60.0, 68.5, 76.0, and 83.3% mortality at 24 h of exposure in 0.06 and 1.00 ppm, respectively. It is suggested that the entomopathogenic fungus synthesized silver nanoparticles would be appropriate for environmentally safer and greener approach for new leeway in vector control strategy through a biological process.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Bacillus thuringiensis against dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

The present study reveals the larvicidal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) against Aedes aegypti responsible for the diseases of public health importance. The Bt-AgNPs were characterized by using UV-visible spectrophotometer followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. A surface plasmon resonance spectrum of AgNps was obtained at 420 nm. The particle sizes were measured through SEM imaging ranging from 43.52 to 142.97 nm. The Bt-AgNPs has also given a characteristic peak at 3 keV in EDX image. Interestingly, the mortality rendered by Bt-AgNPs was comparatively high than that of the control against third-instar larvae of A. aegypti (LC50 0.10 ppm and LC90 0.39 ppm) in all the tested concentrations, viz. 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, 0.12, and 0.15 ppm. Hence, Bt-AgNPs would be significantly used as a potent mosquito larvicide against A. aegypti.