Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Preparing Irradiated and Marked Male Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes for Release in an Operational Sterile Insect Technique Program
Published on: March 12, 2021
Evaluation of Escherichia coli-derived Silver Nanoparticles for Aedes Vector Control in Southern India
Rajalakshmi Anbalagan1, Mortein Henri1, M Priyadharshini1
1Department of Biotechnology, School of Integrative Biology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, 610001, India.
Background:
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the principal mosquito vectors in Tamil Nadu transmitting the major arboviral diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and Yellow Fever. Aedes aegypti serves as the primary vector, followed by Aedes albopictus. Due to the limitations and environmental concerns associated with predictable chemical larvicides, there is an emergency need for alternative and sustainable vector control strategies.
Methods:
In this study, environmentally friendly silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Escherichia coli through a biogenic approach that develops the bacterium's naturally reducing and stabilizing properties. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized for size, shape, and stability using UV-Visible spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The larvicidal efficacy of silver nanoparticles was evaluated against the larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus from the Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, India. LC50 and LC90 values were estimated using probit analysis according to Finney's method (Miller-Tainter approach) in SPSS.
Results:
The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles showed strong larvicidal activity against both mosquito species, depending on the dose approach, the moderate larval mortality was observed in Aedes albopictus than in Aedes aegypti. The median lethal concentration (LC50) was estimated at 270 ± 16 mg/L for Aedes aegypti and 194 ± 13 mg/L for Aedes albopictus, and LC90 values were estimated at 3480 ± 490 mg/L for Aedes aegypti and 2510 ± 360 mg/L for Aedes albopictus. The findings indicate that the biogenically synthesized silver nanoparticles are an effective alternative to chemical larvicides, offering enhanced efficacy with reduced environment impact.
Conclusion:
The current study highlights the dual advantages of utilizing biological resources for nanoparticle synthesis and implementing sustainable approaches for the control of mosquito- borne diseases. Future research should focus on large-scale production, field-level efficacy assessments, and evaluation of potential effects on non-target organisms to support practical applications.
