Facile synthesis and surface characterization of silver metal nanoparticles using Acorus calamus and its applications

Mosquitoes are a vector for many dreadful diseases known for their public health concern. Similarly, human pathogenic bacteria are causing millions of cases of mortality and morbidity every year. The present study, aimed to evaluate the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Acorus calamus leaves (ACL) tested against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae and pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, the biotoxicity effect of AgNPs was treated against Artemia salina (brine shrimp) as a non-targeted organism. The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized by various techniques such as UV-Vis spectrophotometry, XRD, FT-IR, SEM with EDX, HR-TEM, DLS, and Zeta potential. The biogenic AgNPs were treated against Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus showed potential larvicidal activity, it produced 100 % mortality at 1000 mu g/mL with respective lethal concentration (LC50) values was 109.38 mu g/mL and 106.80 mu g/mL. Furthermore, the effect of biosynthesized AgNPs significantly increased esterase and glutathione-S-transferase activity (GST) levels of all treated mosquito larvae as compared to the control. AgNPs exposed mosquito larvae showed serious tissue damage in midgut epithelium cells; vacuolization appeared in the muscle layer; degeneration of nuclei, intercellular membranes, and microvilli were observed as compared to the control. In addition, the biosafety assessment of AgNPs treated against A. salina showed a moderate mortality rate. Furthermore, biosynthesized AgNPs exhibit remarkable growth inhibitory activity achieved against different human bacterial pathogens. The maximum zone of inhibition (ZOI) was denoted on S. marcescens (14 mm), E. coli (16.33 +/- 0.57 mm), B. cereus (18.33 +/- 1.15 mm), and S. aureus (17.00 +/- 1.00 mm). The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of biogenic AgNPs was attained at 73 % for 150 min. These current studies proved that biosynthesized AgNPs were alternatives to chemical insecticides and antibiotic agents. Meanwhile, it's eco-friendly, less toxic to the environment, and has a potential effect on the photocatalytic application for achieving a sustainable ecosystem.