Low-frequency ultrasound-assisted biosynthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles using Bacillus thuringiensis against Tribolium castaneum(Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

Nanoparticle synthesis could be achieved using microorganisms and ecofriendly reducing and capping agents, which becomes one of more potential areas of research. In this paper, ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was synthesized using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) assisted with Low-frequency ultrasound, then its physicochemical characteristics and insecticidal properties was investigated. Several factors such as synthesis time, temperature, the pH of reaction system showed significantly influence on Bt-ZnO NPs synthesis. The morphological and structural properties of NPs was analyzed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR),Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Zeta potential analyses. The physical characterization revealed that nature, negatively charged, and exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a mean size of about 25.24 nm. Bt-ZnO NPs showed higher insecticidal efficacy against Tribolium castaneum. Thus, this study clearly revealed the benefit of synthetic Bt-ZnO NPs used as bio-insecticide for pest control.