Curcurma aromatica mediated biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and its larvicidal activity against Anopheles sp

Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya remain significant public health threats, especially in the developing world. Not only do they impact human populations but also ecological systems. The widespread use of chemical insecticides has resulted in resistance among mosquito populations as well as environmental risks. Consequently, there is an increasing desire to use more environmentally friendly alternatives, particularly those that are plant-based phytochemicals. When combined with nanotechnology, phytochemicals become more biologically effective. Of all the nanomaterials, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess high antimicrobial and insecticidal activities and are good candidates for use in controlling mosquitoes. AgNPs were synthesized in this research using aqueous Curcuma aromatica rhizome extract. AgNPs formation was attested by UV-Vis spectroscopy with a surface plasmon resonance peak at 417 nm. FT-IR revealed the roles of phytochemicals in reducing and stabilizing the nanoparticles. Elemental silver presence was attested by EDAX, while TEM and FESEM analysis indicated particle sizes of 30 to 70 nm with a predominantly spherical shape. Larvicidal activity against Anopheles larvae obtained from stagnant domestic wastewater was evaluated. The synthesized AgNPs were found to possess outstanding larvicidal activity with an LC₅₀ value of 3.76 mg/L after 24 hours of exposure, which reflects strong dose-dependent toxicity. The research confirms that AgNPs synthesized through Curcuma aromatica offer a very good, eco-friendly, and low-cost alternative to synthetic insecticides. These nanoparticles hold vast potential in integrated mosquito control programs and disease prevention, sustainably.