Physiological, biochemical and histological effects of abscisic acid-synthesized silver and copper oxide nanoparticles on the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella
Abstract Background The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella, poses a significant threat to potato cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions. Chemical control, though widely used, poses risks to human and environmental health, necessitating safer alternatives. This study investigat...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-025-00782-2 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella, poses a significant threat to potato cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions. Chemical control, though widely used, poses risks to human and environmental health, necessitating safer alternatives. This study investigated eco-friendly alternatives by synthesizing silver (AgNPs) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) using abscisic acid (ABA). Results Characterization through UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of AgNPs with a uniform size of 35.8 nm and a plasmon resonance at 430 nm. CuONPs displayed a porous, rugby sheet-like structure, with a thickness of 68.5 nm and a 290 nm absorption peak. The effectiveness of the nanoparticles against PTM larvae was assessed through larval spraying and leaf-dipping. Larval spraying outperformed leaf-dipping, with median lethal concentration (LC50) values of 670 mg/L for AgNPs and 1320 mg/L for CuONPs. AgNPs and CuONPs significantly altered digestive enzyme activities in treated PTM larvae, reducing α-amylase, β-glucosidase, lipase, protease, and trypsin, and increasing acid phosphatase activity. Histological studies revealed damage to the larvae's midgut epithelial layer and peritrophic membrane, resulting in nuclei dispersion. Conclusions Our study shows a cost-effective, minimal-impact strategy for synthesizing AgNPs and CuONPs, which can serve as a potential approach for managing PTM. Graphical abstract |
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| ISSN: | 2196-5641 |