One-pot fabrication of silver nanocrystals using Ormocarpum cochinchinense: Biophysical characterization of a potent mosquitocidal and toxicity on non-target mosquito predators

Marimuthu Govindarajan,Giovanni Benelli 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.2

Mosquito vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) are vectors of pathogens and parasites of public health importance, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, lymphatic filariasis and Zika virus. Novel eco-friendly control tools against Culicidae are a priority. In this research, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were rapidly synthesized using the aqueous leaf extract of Ormocarpum cochinchinense as a cheap, non-toxic material. The bioreduced Ag NPs were characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The acute toxicity of O. cochinchinense leaf extract and synthesized Ag NP was evaluated against larvae of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi, the dengue vector Aedes aegypti and the filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus. Compared to the leaf aqueous extract, synthesized Ag NPs showed high toxicity against A. stephensi, A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, with LC50 values of 10.43, 11.26 and 12.35 μg/mL, respectively. Synthesized Ag NPs were found safer to non-target mosquito predators Diplonychus indicus and Gambusia affinis, with LC50 values ranging from 522.13 to 637.70 μg/mL. Overall, this study firstly shed light to O. cochinchinense's potential as a bioresource for rapid, cheap and effective nanosynthesis of mosquitocides.

Anti-diabetic Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized with Argyreia nervosa Leaf Extract High Synergistic Antibacterial Activity with Standard Antibiotics Against Foodborne Bacteria

Saratale, Ganesh Dattatraya,Saratale, Rijuta Ganesh,Benelli, Giovanni,Kumar, Gopalakrishnan,Pugazhendhi, Arivalagan,Kim, Dong-Su,Shin, Han-Seung Springer-Verlag 2017 Journal of cluster science Vol.28 No.3

<P>The current investigation highlighted a novel cost-effective green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Argyreia nervosa leaves extract (ANE) as a potential reducing and capping agent. Surface plasmon resonance confirmed the formation of AgNPs with maximum absorbance at lambda (max) = 435 nm. FTIR revealed the involvement of biological macromolecules of ANE in the synthesis and stabilization of AgNPs. HRTEM images showed that the size of the spherical AgNPs ranged between 5 and 40 nm with average particle size of about 15 nm. The ANE-AgNPs showed inhibition activity against carbohydrate digestive enzymes alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, with EC50 of 55.5 and 51.7 A mu g/mL, respectively, indicating its antidiabetic potential. The in vitro antioxidant activity of ANE-AgNPs was evaluated in terms of ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radicals scavenging assays with IC50 value of 44.3 and 55.9 A mu g/mL, respectively. The AgNPs displayed strong antibacterial activity against foodborne bacteria with zone of inhibition 16.0 and 12.5 mm for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, and also exhibited strong synergistic antibacterial activity together with standard antibiotics. The biological activity in terms of antioxidant, antidiabetic and antibacterial potential could be useful in various bio-applications such as cosmetics, food, and biomedical industry.</P>

The Oriental drosophilid Cacoxenus (Gitonides) campsiphallus, a predator of invasive mealybugs: First record for Palearctic region and female's description

Alfio Raspi,Roohafza Abdimaleki,Majid Fallahzadeh,Nazila Saghaei,Giovanni Benelli 한국응용곤충학회 2015 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.18 No.3

Cacoxenus (Gitonides) campsiphallus Chassagnard and Tsacas, 2003 is a poorly studied Oriental drosophilid, with larvae preying onmealybugs. This species was originally described based on a male specimen fromIndia. The female is currently unknown. In this research,we found twenty individuals of C. (G.) campsiphallus preying the invasive mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus in southern Iran. The C. (G.) campsiphallus female was described, followed by a redescription of themale. Our study is the first record of this Oriental drosophilid for thewhole Palearctic region. Further knowledge is needed about the biology and ecology of this drosophilid species, a potential biocontrol organism against invasive mealybugs.

Impact of a long-lasting adult liquid diet on female reproductive performance in the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Angelo Canale,Gabriele Gennari,Valeria Leoni,Russell H. Messing,Giovanni Benelli 한국응용곤충학회 2015 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.18 No.2

Researchers in many countries have devoted great effort to the development and validation of the sterile insect technique (SIT) against a number of tephritid species. To improve SIT cost-effectiveness and applicability against these serious economic pests, itwould be useful to improve currentmass-rearing procedures. While the benefits of using liquid larval diets have beenwidely tested, liquid diets for adult feeding have received far less attention. Here, we report on the impact of low-cost adult liquid diets with a range of sugar:protein ratios on female reproductive performance (i.e. pre-oviposition period, female egg load, larval–pupal developmental rate, adult emergence, sex ratio and longevity of offspring) in the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. Protein-deprived females required longer pre-oviposition time and had reduced egg load. No differences were found in the reproductive performance of females fed with liquid vs. solid diet. The proposed liquid diet is readily available to the feeding behaviour of tephritid flies and lasts three times longer than the solid diet composed of the same ingredients.

Clerodendrum chinense-mediated biofabrication of silver nanoparticles: Mosquitocidal potential and acute toxicity against non-target aquatic organisms

Marimuthu Govindarajan,Mohan Rajeswary,S.L. Hoti,Kadarkarai MURUGAN,Kalimuthu Kovendan,Subramanian Arivoli,Giovanni Benelli 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.1

Mosquito-borne diseases represent a deadly threat for millions of people worldwide. However, the use of synthetic insecticides to control Culicidae may lead to high operational costs and adverse non-target effects. Plantborne compounds have been proposed for rapid extracellular synthesis ofmosquitocidal nanoparticles. Their impact against biological control agents of mosquito larval populations has been poorly studied. In this study, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using the Clerodendrumchinense leaf extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. The biosynthesis of AgNP was confirmed analyzing the excitation of surface Plasmon resonance using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometry. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the clustered and irregular shapes of Ag NP. The presence of silver was determined by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis investigated the identity of secondary metabolites,which may act as Ag NP capping agents. The acute toxicity of C. chinense leaf extract and biosynthesized Ag NP was evaluated against larvae of Anopheles subpictus, Aedes albopictus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Compared to the leaf aqueous extract, biosynthesized Ag NP showed higher toxicity against A. subpictus, A. albopictus, and C. tritaeniorhynchus with LC50 values of 10.23, 11.10 and 12.38 μg/mL, respectively. Biosynthesized Ag NPswere found safer to non-target organisms Diplonychus indicus, Anisops bouvieri and Gambusia affinis, with respective LC50 values ranging from647.05 to 6877.28 μg/ml. Overall, our results highlight that C. chinense-fabricated Ag NP are a promising and eco-friendly tool against larval populations ofmosquito vectors of medical and veterinary importance, with negligible toxicity against non-target aquatic organisms. © 2015 Korean Society of Applied Entomology, Taiwan Entomological Society and Malaysian Plant Protection

Contrasting genetic diversity and intra-population polymorphism of the invasive pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae): A DNA barcoding approach

Pushparaj Karthika,Chithravel Vadivalagan,Natraj Krishnaveni,Kadarkarai MURUGAN,Marcello Nicoletti,Angelo Canale,Giovanni Benelli 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.1

Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is one of the most important pests attacking Solanaceae crops in Asian countries. Despite its agricultural importance, little information is available on the molecular ecology and evolution. In this study, we used DNA barcoding to explore the genetic diversity and intrapopulation polymorphisms of H. vigintioctopunctata. Haplotype analysis of the partial COI gene sequences of H. vigintioctopunctata fromfour localities in South India and other globally available haplotypes revealed two genetically distinctive lineages. The TCS haplotype network with the main clusters G1, G2, G4 and G6 represented intra-population polymorphismamong the Indian lineages,while other clusterswere differentiatedwith unique mutational steps. High substitutions in the 1st and 3rd codon suggested the dominance of synonymous substitutionswith significant p-values b 0.05, that inferred for purifying selection. The genetic diversity indices Fu's Fs and neutrality index Tajima-D had negative values that implied for recent population expansion and lowfrequency of polymorphism. Further, high genetic divergences among certain haplotype comparisons evidenced the influence of micro-evolutionary pressures. The threshold value was 1.26%, which was supported by the postulates of 10× rule. Overall, the study firstly reported the genetic diversity and intra-population polymorphism of H. vigintioctopunctata populations attacking Solanaceae species in Asian countries.

Green-synthesized silver nanoparticles using Psychotria nilgiriensis: toxicity against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and impact on the predatory efficiency of the non-target organism Poecilia sphenops (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliid

Kalimuthu Kovendan,Balamurugan Chandramohan,Devakumar Dinesh,Dhandapani Abirami,Periasamy Vijayan,Marimuthu Govindarajan,Savariar Vincent,Giovanni Benelli 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.4

Mosquitoes transmit serious diseases to humans and animals, causingmillions of deaths every year. Effective insecticides of natural origin for eco-friendly vector control are a priority. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using as cheap Psychotria nilgiriensis leaf extractwere tested on larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Biophysical characterizationwas carried outwith UV–vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Larvae were exposed to varying concentrations of aqueous extract of synthesized AgNPs for 24 h. The maximum mortality was observed for green-synthesized AgNPs. Moreover, the combined treatment of leaf extract of P. nilgiriensis and AgNPs lowered the plant extract LC50 to 92.87, 115.27, 140.37, 169.30 and 212.55 μg/ml. The effectiveness of green synthesized AgNPs was confirmed against eggs and adults of A. aegypti. Furthermore, we showed that the predatory efficiency of Poecilia sphenops on A. aegypti was not reduced after the exposure at sublethal doses of AgNPs. Predation in the control was 65% (larva I) and 49.62% (larva II). Predation against late-instar larvae was minimal. In AgNPs-treated environment (3 ppm), predation was boosted to 90.25% (larva I) and 76.50% (larva II), respectively. Overall, P. nilgiriensis-synthesized AgNPs could be proposed at ultra-low doses to reduce larval population of dengue vectors enhancing predation rates of P. sphenops.

Green and facile biosynthesis of silver nanocomposites using the aqueous extract of Rubus ellipticus leaves: Toxicity and oviposition deterrent activity against Zika virus, malaria and filariasis mosquito vectors

Fatma Saeed AlQahtani,Mashael Marzouq AlShebly,Marimuthu Govindarajan,Sengamalai Senthilmurugan,Periasamy Vijayan,Giovanni Benelli 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.1

Botanical-based nanosynthesis has been recently reported as a cheap alternative for mosquito management. In this study, we investigated the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the leaf extract of Rubus ellipticus and AgNPswere characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEMand EDX analyses. The toxicity of R. ellipticus leaf extract and AgNPs was evaluated against eggs, larvae and adults of Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Compared to the leaf aqueous extract, biosynthesized AgNPs showed higher toxicity against the mosquito larvae with LC50 values of 12.50, 13.83 and 15.09 μg/mL, respectively. AgNPs exerted zero hatchability at 60, 75 and 90 μg/mL on A. stephensi, A. aegypti, and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. Concentrations of 12–60 μg/mL reduced egg laying by gravid females from72.28 to 91.48%.Maximumadulticidal efficacywas observed for AgNPs,with LD50 values were 21.10, 23.04 and 25.06 μg/mL, respectively. AgNPs were found safer to non-target organisms Anisops bouvieri, Diplonychus indicus and Gambusia affinis, with LC50 values ranging from 896 to 2261 μg/mL. Overall, R. ellipticus-fabricated AgNPs acted as effective toxic agents and ovideterrents against three important mosquitoes species, with little harmful effects on non-target aquatic species.

A novel photo-biological engineering method for <i>Salvia miltiorrhiza</i>-mediated fabrication of silver nanoparticles using LED lights sources and its effectiveness against <i>Aedes aegypti</i> mosquito larvae and microbial pathogens

Lee, Jeong-Ho,Velmurugan, Palanivel,Park, Jung-Hee,Murugan, Kadarkarai,Lovanh, Nanh,Park, Yool-Jin,Oh, Byung-Taek,Venkatachalam, Perumal,Benelli, Giovanni Elsevier 2018 Physiological and molecular plant pathology Vol.101 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this study, <I>Salvia miltiorrhiza-</I>synthesized Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) fabricated using sunlight or various LED lights were studied for their biophysical features and evaluated as larvicides against <I>Aedes aegypti</I> mosquitoes and growth inhibitors on different species of microbial pathogens. AgNPs production post-exposure to sunlight or different LED light conditions (i.e. blue, red, green, and white) was confirmed by characteristic surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) at maximum λ of 430, 420, 460, 450, and 460 nm, respectively. Optimization of pH, reducing extract concentration, metal ion concentration and time elapsed from the nano-biosynthesis was achieved. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) showed that most AgNPs was spherical, triangular and oval, with average size of 18.5, 28.02, 50.22, 16.26 and 10.12 nm for white, green, red, blue and sunlight, respectively. XRD confirmed the all the obtained AgNPs showed face centered cubic (fcc) crystal lattice. FT-IR analysis of all synthesized AgNPs indicated the involvement of phenol, amine, hydroxyl and amino groups in the reduction of nano-Ag. All tested AgNPs inhibited the growth of <I>Brevibacterium linens</I> (KACC-14346), <I>Propionibacterium acnes</I> (KACC 11946), <I>Staphylococcus aureus</I> (KACC-10768) and <I>Staphylococcus epidermidis.</I> As a general trend, larvicidal assays conducted on dengue and Zika virus vector <I>Aedes aegypti</I> showed that, after 48 h of exposure, the toxicity achieved by sunlight-fabricated AgNPs was slightly higher if compared to AgNPs fabricated using various LED lights. Overall, our research highlighted the importance of abiotic parameters, with special reference to light condition, during green nanosynthesis of antimicrobials and larvicides.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A novel photo-biological engineering method for <I>Salvia miltiorrhiza-</I>mediated fabrication of silver nanoparticles using LED lights sources was established. </LI> <LI> Engineered biomolecule-capped silver nanoparticles were characterized by using FT-IR, XRD, HR-TEM analysis. </LI> <LI> Green synthesized nanoparticles exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity against microbial pathogens. </LI> <LI> Photo-fabricated metallic silver nanoparticles showed efficient larvicidal activity against dengue and Zika virus vector <I>Aedes aegypti.</I> </LI> </UL> </P>

Size-controlled biofabrication of silver nanoparticles using the Merremia emarginata leaf extract: Toxicity on Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) and non-target mosquito predators

Raja Mohamed Sait Thameem Azarudeen,Marimuthu Govindarajan,Mashael Marzouq AlShebly,Fatma Saeed AlQahtani,Abubucker Amsath,Sengamalai Senthilmurugan,Periasamy Vijayan,Giovanni Benelli 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.2

Mosquito-borne diseases represent a major human and animal health problem in all tropical and subtropical countries worldwide. The synthesis of eco-friendly metal nanoparticles is a fast-growing branch of current nanoscience with a number of biomedical and entomological implications. In this study, we investigated the one-pot synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using a cheap leaf extract of Merremia emarginata (Convolvulaceae). Bio-reduced Ag NPs were characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. SEM, TEM and AFM morphological nanocharacterization showed that this synthesis led to the production of size-controlled Ag NPs, ranging from 25 to 65 nm. The acute toxicity of M. emarginata leaf extract and biosynthesized Ag NPs was evaluated against third instar larvae of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi, the dengue and Zika virus vector Aedes aegypti and the filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus. Compared to the leaf aqueous extract, Ag NPs showed higher toxicity against A. stephensi, A. aegypti, and C. quinquefasciatus with LC50 values of 8.36, 9.20 and 10.02 μg/mL, respectively. M. emarginata-fabricated Ag NPs were found safer to non-target aquatic biocontrol agents Anisops bouvieri, Diplonychus indicus and Gambusia affinis, with LC50 ranging from 415.61 to 25,153.46 μg/mL. However, although it has been proven the AgNPs fabricated in the present study are more effective if compared to the crude M. emarginata extract, they still exert some toxicity on biocontrol agents, thus further research is required to produce more eco-friendly formulations for field purposes.