Mosquito larvicidal and antimicrobial activities of synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using mature fruit extract of Cestrum diurnum L.

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were prepared using mature fruit extract of Cestrum diurnum L. (family: Solanaceae) as a reducing agent. The stabilized AgNPs were characterized by time-dependent UV–Vis Spectrophotometric analysis. The spherical/oval shape of the nanoparticle was confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis with an average particle size of about 50 nm. The crystalline nature of the AgNPs was confirmed in the XRD spectrum by the characteristic Bragg peaks. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic analysis of AgNPs confirms the presence of several functional groups. AgNPs showed effective larvicidal activities against larval instars of Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in the laboratory bioassay. Synthesized AgNPs also showed good antibacterial activity against some fish pathogenic and human pathogenic bacteria which is evident from the inhibition zone diameter in the antibacterial bioassay experiment.