Ecobiophysical Aspects on Nanosilver Biogenerated fromCitrus reticulataPeels, as Potential Biopesticide for Controlling Pathogens and Wetland Plants in Aquatic Media

Abstract

In recent years, a considerable interest was paid to ecological strategies in management of plant diseases and plant growth. Metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) gained considerable interest as alternative to pesticides due to their interesting properties.Greensynthesis of MNPs using plant extracts is very advantageous taking into account the fact that plants are easily available and eco-friendly and possess many phytocompounds that help in bioreduction of metal ions. In this research work, we phytosynthesized AgNPs from aqueous extract ofCitrus reticulatapeels, with high antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal potential. These “green” AgNPs were characterized by modern biophysical methods (absorption and FTIR spectroscopy, AFM, and zeta potential measurements). The nanobioimpact ofCitrus-based AgNPs on four invasive wetland plants, Cattail(Typha latifolia), Flowering-rush(Butomus umbellatus), Duckweed(Lemna minor), and Water-pepper(Polygonum hydropiper), was studied by absorption spectroscopy, by monitoring the spectral signature of chlorophyll. The invasive plants exhibited different behavior under AgNP stress. Deep insights were obtained from experiments conducted on biomimetic membranes marked with chlorophylla. Our results pointed out the potential use ofCitrus-based AgNPs as alternative in controlling pathogens in aqueous media and in management of aquatic weeds growth.