Comparative Killing Activity of Different Nanoparticles and Nano-composites Based on Dermanyssus gallinae

Silver (Ag NPs) and magnetite nanoparticles (MANPs) were synthesized and characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. XRD, XRF and Raman spectroscopy results of MANPs and Ag NPs confirmed their synthesis without any undesired impurities from synthesis method. TEM, SEM and AFM images of Ag NPs illustrated homogenous spherical particles with the size of about 5 nm, while MANPs had spherical to semi-cubic with the size of 20 nm. Both silver-essential oils and magnetite–essential oils nanocomposites were synthesized by sonochemical method with the ratio of 1:1. In-vitro contact effect of commercial plant essential oil mixture with synthetic silver and magnetite nanoparticles was studied. Comparative killing study was carried out by direct contact spray of groups of saline, silver nanoparticles, magnetite nanoparticles, essential oils, silver-essential oil nanocomposite, and magnetite-essential oil nanocomposite on poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae (D. gallinae). Activity and changes occurred were examined under stereomicroscope for 3 h. Interestingly, highest killing activity was obtained with silver-essential oil nanocomposite and silver nanoparticles in comparison with magnetite nanoparticles, essential oil and magnetite-essential oil nanocomposite. As a result, silver-essential oil nanocomposite and silver nanoparticles could be beneficial and involved in D. gallinae (red mite) control strategies in poultry industry.