Bio-fabricated zinc oxide and cry protein nanocomposites: Synthesis, characterization, potentiality against Zika, malaria and West Nile virus vector's larvae and their impact on non-target organisms

The role of mosquito vectors in spreading disastrous diseases to living organisms, especially to humans is inevitable and undeniable. The impacts of the available chemical and synthetic insecticides on non-specific organisms as well as on nature are being the reason behind the search for target-specific, biocompatible and eco-friendly alternatives. The Madhuca longifolia seed extract and cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis-based nanocomposites (Cp-Ml-ZnO NCs) were produced to conquer the above-mentioned issues. The Cp-Ml-ZnO NCs (100 μg/mL) expressed better scavenging potentiality on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radicals than Ml seed extract and Ml-ZnO NPs. The susceptibility of tested vector larvae to the Cp-Ml-ZnO NCs was Ae. aegypti ˃An. stephensi ˃ Cx. quinquefasciatus along with LC50-27.73, 34.81, and 42.54 μg/mL concentration. The target specificity and biocompatibility of Cp-Ml-ZnO NCs were authenticated by the results obtained by evaluating the efficacy on D. similis, A. salina, P. reticulata, G. affinis, and RBCs of goat blood. Thus the Cp-Ml-ZnO NCs could be adopted for the control of vector larvae.