Mosquito Larvicidal Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles against Dengue Causing Vector Aedes Albopictus Using Leaf Extract of Lavandula Angustifolia

The employment of greener-reducing extracts for ZnONPs biosynthesis is a facile, simple, and eco-friendly approach than physical and chemical synthesis. The present study was designed to the synthesis of ZnONPs for the first time using the Lavandula angustifolia leaf extract. The techniques like UV-Visible spectroscopy, PXRD, FESEM, EDAX, and FTIR were used to characterize the ZnONPs. In dose dependent manner from 80mg/L to 160mg/L, the ZnONPs were exposed to dengue-causing vector A. albopictus for 24 hours. The UV-Vis absorption peak was found at 346 nm confirmed the biosynthesis of ZnONPs. FESEM results showed the ZnONPs were formed in aggregates with truncated octahedron morphology. The average particle size was found to be 74.58 nm. The PXRD analysis showed the ZnONPs were crystalline in nature. FTIR analysis showed the presence of different functional groups like phenolics, alcohols, and amines were involved in ZnONPs synthesis. The ZnONPs showed significant mosquito larvicidal activity after being treated with fourth instar larvae of A. albopictus. After 24h exposure the ZnONPs showed 100% mortality at a concentration of 160mg/L with LC50 value at 118mg/L and LC90 at 135mg/L respectively. Based on these results, we strongly recommend the truncated octahedron-shaped L. angustifolia ZnONPs could act as a potent biomedical agent against mosquito-borne diseases and pest management.