An Investigation into the Larvicidal Activity of Biologically Synthesized Silver and Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Against Mosquito Larvae

Abstract

This study is primarily focused on the synthesis of silver and copper oxide nanoparticles utilizing the extract of Ipomoea staphylina plant and their larvicidal activity against specific larvae. Notably, Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti are significant disease vectors responsible for transmitting diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya, dengue and Zika. These mosquitoes have a substantial impact on urban areas, influencing disease transmission dynamics. In an effort to control these larvae, we have pursued the synthesis of a herbal‐based nanomedicine derived from I.staphylina, a valuable herb in traditional medicine. Our successful synthesis of silver and CuO nanoparticles followed environmentally sustainable green chemistry methodologies. The I.staphylina plant extract played a dual role as a reducing agent and dopant, aligning with principles of sustainability. We employed XRD analysis to validate the nanoparticle structure and size, while FE‐SEM revealed well‐defined nanostructures. Elemental composition was determined through energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, and UV‐visible spectroscopy provided insights into the bandgap energy. These nanoparticles exhibited robust larvicidal activity, with CuO nanoparticles surpassing silver nanoparticles in terms of LC50 and LC90 values. These findings underscore the potential utility of these nanoparticles as highly effective and environmentally friendly natural pesticides offering cost‐effectiveness and ecological benefits.