Comparison of Pesticide Effect of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Green Chemistry and Plant Extracts on Anopheles Stephensi Mosquitoes

According to the importance of Anopheles mosquitoes, in the transmission of malaria and control of disease transmitter is one of the important strategies for the prevention of diseases. This study aimed to produce plant insecticides using blue extracts of oleander plants, tobacco, ferula, and Achilles Mille folium essential oils and copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized by pomegranate peel extract on the Anopheles Stephens mosquitoes to solve the problems by chemical insecticides.

In this laboratory research, the effect of blue extracts with concentrations (0.66, 1.3, and 2.6) microliters in a milliliter of leaves and stems of oleander, tobacco, ferula, and Achilles Mille folium essential oil on the Anopheles mosquito (Anopheles. Stephens: Bandar Abbas strain) was studied. To optimize these extracts, antibacterial properties of thyme were used to prevent mold growth. In addition, the insecticidal effect of copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized from pomegranate peel extract was considered. To identify nanoparticles synthesized by spectroscopic analysis Vis-UV, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray energy diffraction (EDX) was used.

The results showed that copper oxide nanoparticles of pomegranate extract with antibacterial properties were obtained with LC50 = 0.70. It had a good insecticidal effect on Anopheles Stephens mosquito specimens. But oleander plants with LC50 less than copper Nan oxide showed more lethality.

  But since fennel is a poisonous plant and is harmful to non-target organisms and humans, it cannot be a good alternative to plant insecticides. In contrast, copper oxide nanostructures do not harm humans or non-target organisms.