Green synthesis of silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera gum and evaluation of their adulticidal activity against ticks and hippoboscid flies.

The current study aimed to evaluate the antiparasitic activity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) using gum aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera against adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, and Hippobosca maculata. A variety of imaging and spectroscopy techniques were used to analyze the produced Ag NPs and TiO2 NPs. UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) were used analyze the produced Ag and TiO2 NPs. The effectiveness of parasitic activity was assessed by conducting a 24 h bioassay test with filter paper impregnated with various concentrations of aqueous gum extract of M. oleifera, AgNO3 solution, TiO(OH)2 solution, produced Ag NPs, and TiO2 NPs. The synthesized Ag NPs and TiO₂ NPs exhibited the lowest LC₅₀ values against R. sanguineus, R. (B.) microplus, and H. maculata, indicating greater adulticidal potency than the gum extract and precursor solutions. Green-synthesized Ag and TiO₂ NPs show promising adulticidal efficacy against hematophagous parasites. Furthermore, the use of M. oleifera gum provides a simple, eco-friendly, and sustainable approach for nanoparticle synthesis, highlighting their potential for future parasite control applications. However, additional toxicity and environmental safety studies are required before practical application.