The nutritional effect of aqueous extracts of coconut and pomegranate fruits in silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) with the toxic impact of green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Background Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) is an imperative basis of the silk assembly in Egypt. The foundation of first-class silk is the foremost establishment in the sericulture diligence through a refining of the quality silk threads. The botanic extracts are used in the sustenance of silkworms to advance their creation. Coconut and pomegranate fruits enclose several antioxidant amalgams. However, nano-plants are the modern manner in the agrarian claims for crop protection. We need an inventive tactic to protect silkworms from any noxious residues. The existing study was designed to gauge the impacts of aqueous extracts of coconut, pomegranate, and zinc oxide nanoparticles derived from coconut and pomegranate extracts in the silkworms (Bombyx mori L.) at fifth instar larvae via scrutinizing of the biochemical and histopathological evaluations at 1% concentration after 72 h. Results Our records indicated that zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized by coconut and pomegranate extracts induced a disturbance in the activities of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, phenol oxidase, and total protein concentration compared to the control treatment, (P < 0.001). Also, some histopathological repetitions persuaded in the silkworms, such as a disorganization in the silk gland and an apoptotic appearance zone in the silk glands, and also no formed cocoon. Still, the aqueous extracts of coconut and pomegranate convinced no significant variation in biochemical factors and histological architecture of the silkworm with a formation of a decent appearance cocoon. Conclusions To sum up, this investigation revealed that the lethal effect of green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles from coconut and pomegranate and the promising nutritional use of coconut and pomegranate extracts in the silkworm feeding. Lastly, this research exhibited that the negative influence of nanotechnology on the physiological manners of the silkworms and the positive influence of the natural plants on them. Thus, progresses in the silk production are required to further augment by using of plant extracts as nutritive source to silkworms.