Phyto-synthesized silver nanoparticles from ubiquitous weeds Sida acuta and Artemisia absinthium for controlling japanese encephalitis vector

Wastes are the menace for the environment and weeds are one of the major categories of biowaste. They need to be managed properly for the well-being of environment. Sida acuta, also called as wireweed and Artemisia absinthium popularly known as wormwood, are the two major categories of weeds which are serious threat to the main vegetations and for animals as well, as they are toxic. Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito native to northern Asia is the vector of Japanese encephalitis, one of the concerned diseases declared by World Health Organization (WHO). Japanese encephalitis is endemic in 24 countries, causing 3 billion people at risk and has no fully developed cure. Therefore, the present investigation deals with integrated hand in hand management of weed waste and deadly disease vector with the utilization and blend of nano technology. In this study the larvicidal activity of the S. acuta and A. absinthium weeds silver nanoparticles were tested against the Japanese encephalitis vector. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles was confirmed using Ultraviolet Visible (UV-Vis) Spectrophotometry, and peaks were observed at 439.2 nm with S. acuta and 477.6 nm with A. absinthium. The synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized using Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), which depicted their spherical shape. The LC50 values for III instar larvae was found to be 0.121 mu g/ml with S. acuta AgNPs and 0.104 mu g/ml with AgNPs synthesized from A. absinthium. AgNPs of A. absinthium were found to be more effective larvicide in comparison to another weed taken into study. The study depicts a good strategy for hand in hand weed and deadly disease vector management. Nanolarvicides prepared using these weeds can be used in controlling Japanese encephalitis vector, as well as these can be explored for their larvicidal potential against vectors of other deadly mosquito borne diseases.