Ecofriendly Synthesis and Insecticidal Application of Copper Nanoparticles against the Storage Pest Tribolium castaneum

Abstract

In spite of great developments in the agricultural field and plant productivity in the last decades, the concern about the control of agricultural pests is still continuous. However, pest management is expected to have more effects from nanomaterials by providing innovative solutions. The current study confirms the biotransformation of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using a cell-free culture extract of metal copper-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens MAL2, which was isolated from heavy metal-contaminated soils collected from Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. The local screened bacterial isolate, Pseudomonas fluorescens MAL2, is similar to Pseudomonas fluorescens DSM 12442T DSM. After optimization of growth conditions, F-Base medium was found to be the best medium and pH 7, temperature 35 °C, concentration of CuSO4·5H2O 300 ppm, 10 mL supernatant: 40 mL CuSO4·5H2O (300 ppm), and reaction time 90 min were recorded as the best growth conditions to the fabrication of CuNPs. The formed CuNPs were characterized using initially visual observation of the change in the color of the reaction mixture from blue color to the dark green as an indication of CuNPs biotransformation. Then, UV–Vis spectroscopy showed a maximum absorption at 610 nm under the optimum conditions performed. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed the formation of spherical aspect with size ranges from 10:70 nm; moreover, Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) indicated the presence of CuNPs and other elements. In addition, the presence of alcohols, phenols, alkenes, and amines is confirmed by Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) supported that the Zeta-average size of nanoparticle was 48.07 with 0.227 PdI value. The Zeta potential showed −26.00mV with a single peak. The biosynthesized CuNPs (Bio CuNPs) showed toxicity against the stored grain pest (Tribolium castaneum), where LC50 value was 37 ppm after 5 days of treatment. However, the negligible effect was observed with chemical synthesis of CuNPs (Ch CuNPs) at the same concentration. The results suggest that Bio CuNPs could be used not only as a biocontrol agent, but also as an ecofriendly and inexpensive approach for controlling the stored grain pests.

A Novel Biological Approach to Copper Nanoparticles Synthesis: Characterization and its Application Against Phytopathogenic Fungi

“…2). The present ndings are in agreement with the recent ndings [30]. The aforementioned studies reported that the appearance of green color color is due to reduction of copper sulfate and its bioconversion to CuNPs.…”

“…Although Sudhir et al [32] demonstrated that the biogenic CuNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer showing a typical resonance (SPR) at about 631 nm which is speci c for CuNPs. CuNPs were studied recently by [30] at 200-1000 nm wavelength range and it has absorbance at 550 to 650 nm.…”

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Biological Curcumin Nanoparticles on Growth and Carcass Traits, Antioxidant Status, Immunity and Caecal Microbiota of Japanese Quails

“…Curcumin nanoparticles in this study were synthesized from Bacillus subtilis LA4, which was isolated from soil samples that were collected from different sites next to the plant rhizosphere in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt [17][18][19]. Under the optimum conditions of temperature, pH, incubation time, and other parameters, curcumin nanoparticles were produced.…”

New Hybrid Copper Nanoparticles/Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Composite with Antibacterial Activity

“…According to the proposed mechanism of CuNP stabilization with capping agents [ 15 , 16 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ], the ionic groups in the alkyl side chains of CPE would be mainly responsible for CuNP stabilization; however, the high electron density on the surface of the π-conjugated polyelectrolyte could also play a role in the CuNP stabilization. To test this hypothesis, theoretical calculations were performed, and the results are detailed in Section 3.2 .…”