BIOGENIC SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING PINUS ROXBURGHII NEEDLE EXTRACT: PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND INSECTICIDAL EFFICACY AGAINST TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM (HERBST)
Keywords:
Pinus roxburghii, Silver Nanoparticles, Green Synthesis, Tribolium castaneum, Biopesticide, Stored-Grain Protection
Abstract
Persistent infestations of the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) present an ongoing challenge in post-harvest grain storage, where heavy reliance on synthetic pesticides continues to foster chemical resistance and leave undesirable residues. This study reports a green, sustainable route for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) mediated by methanolic needle extract of the Himalayan pine Pinus roxburghii Sarg. Quantitative colorimetric profiling confirmed substantial reserves of total phenolic content (38.3 mg GAE/g dry extract) and total flavonoid content (2.5 mg RE/g dry extract), along with strong free radical scavenging potential (IC50=48.89 μg/mL). GC-MS analysis detected major secondary metabolites—including melezitose (10.2%), glucopyranose derivatives (10.2%), and octadecenoic acid esters (4.95%)—which serve as natural reducing and capping agents.Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) centered at 450 nmin UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed successful bioreduction of Ag+to stable Ag0. Contact-toxicity bioassays against adult T. castaneum revealed marked concentration- and time-dependent insecticidal responses. The synthesized AgNPs achieved 70%mortality at 200 mgexposure after 72 h, clearly exceeding the 50%mortality recorded for the crude methanolic extract under identical conditions. These results show that combining P. roxburghii phytochemicals with nanosilver architectures provides an eco-friendly, potent bio-insecticide suitable for integrated pest management programs in stored agricultural commodities.
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References
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26.Sridhara, K. R., et al. (2013). Synthesis and optical characterization of bio-reduced silver nanoparticles. Materials Letters, 92, 240–243.
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2.Alfaro-Corres, M., et al. (2023). Insecticidal evaluation of botanical extracts and essential oils against stored grain pests. Journal of Stored Products Research, 101, 102078.
3.Annavaram, V., et al. (2017). Green synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 240, 600–608.
4.Aygun, A., Ozdemir, S., Gulcan, M., Cellat, K., & Şen, F. (2020). Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) extract and their antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 108, 110488.
5.Bagherzade, G., Tavakoli, M. M., & Namaei, M. H. (2017). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) wastages and its antibacterial activity six bacteria. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 7(1), 27–33.
6.Bhardwaj, K., et al. (2020). Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Himalayan conifers. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 1168.
7.Chowdhury, A., Kunjiappan, S., Bhattacharjee, C., & Chowdhury, R. (2014). Green synthesis and characterization of biocompatible silver nanoparticles using Brassica oleracea L. leaf extract. International Journal of Current Research, 6(1), 66–74.
8.Chaudhary, A. K., Ahmad, S., & Mazumder, A. (2014). Cognitive enhancement in aged mice after chronic administration of Cedrus deodara Loud. and Pinus roxburghii Sarg. with demonstrated antioxidant properties. Journal of Natural Medicines, 68(2), 274–283.
9.Das, S., Singh, V. K., Dwivedy, A. K., Chaudhari, A. K., & Dubey, N. K. (2024). Insecticidal and fungicidal efficacy of essential oils and nanoencapsulation approaches for the development of next generation ecofriendly green preservatives for management of stored food commodities: an overview. International Journal of Pest Management, 70(3), 235–266.
10.Dawadi, S., et al. (2021). Plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Prospects of biological applications. Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, 13(3), 222–235.
11.El-Rafie, H. M., et al. (2014). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extract and evaluation of their antibacterial activity. Carbohydrate Polymers, 107, 71–77.
12.Ibrahim, M., et al. (2022). Evaluation of nanoparticle formulations for control of coleopteran stored-product insects. Insects, 13(4), 382.
13.Kadam, J., Dhawal, P., & Kakodkar, S. (2020). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using cauliflower waste and their multifaceted applications in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye and Hg2+ biosensing. SN Applied Sciences, 2(4), 1–14.
14.Kanchan, B., Prerna, B., & Simran, K. (2020). Medicinal value of secondary metabolites of pines grown in Himalayan region of India. Research Journal of Biotechnology, 15(7), 170–178.
15.Kaushik, P., et al. (2014). GC-MS analysis of bioactive components in conifer leaf essential oils. Industrial Crops and Products, 54, 18 9–195.
16.Lasmi, K., et al. (2025). Eco-friendly green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles and their emerging agrochemical applications. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, 23, 100912.
17.Mehmood, S., Abbasi, A. M., Hussain, H., Khan, S. A., Almutairi, H. H., Ismail, A. M., & El-Beltagi, H. S. (2024). Phytochemical profile, antioxidant and antibacterial activities analysis of crude extract and essential oil of Pinus roxburghii and Pinus wallichiana: in vitro and in silico analyses. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 10(1), 2403648.
18.Mostafa, T. S., et al. (2012). Contact toxicity and behavioral repellency of plant-derived extracts against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Journal of Stored Products Research, 49, 148–154.
19.Mude, N., Ingle, A., Gade, A., & Rai, M. (2008). Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using callus extract of Carica papaya—a first report. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 18(1), 83–86.
20.Naeem, I., Taskeen, A., Mubeen, H., & Maimoona, A. (2010). Characterization of flavonols present in barks and needles of Pinus wallichiana and Pinus roxburghii. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 22(1), 41–48.
21.Oda, A. M., Abdulkadhim, H., Jabuk, S. I. A., Hashim, R., Fadhil, I., Alaa, D., & Kareem, A. (2019). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticle by cauliflower extract: characterization and antibacterial activity against storage pathogens. IET Nanobiotechnology, 13(1), 74–79.
22.Sarwer, Q., Amjad, M. S., Mehmood, A., Binish, Z., Mustafa, G., Farooq, A., Qaseem, M. F., Abasi, F., & de la Lastra, J. M. P. (2022). Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using Myrsine africana leaf extract for their antibacterial, antioxidant and phytotoxic activities. Molecules, 27(22), 7709.
23.Shaikh, J. R., & Patil, M. K. (2020). Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of plant extracts: A review. International Journal of Chemical Studies, 8(4), 139–142.
24.Sharma, A., Goyal, R., & Sharma, L. (2016). Potential biological efficacy of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. extracts: Antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 6(11), 123–128.
25.Sharma, P., et al. (2020). Chemical composition and biological activities of conifers from the Western Himalaya. Natural Product Research, 34(16), 2378–2382.
26.Sridhara, K. R., et al. (2013). Synthesis and optical characterization of bio-reduced silver nanoparticles. Materials Letters, 92, 240–243.
27.Tehri, N., Kaur, R., Maity, M., Chauhan, A., Hooda, V., Vashishth, A., & Kumar, G. (2020). Biosynthesis, characterization, bactericidal and sporicidal activity of silver nanoparticles using the leaves extract of Litchi chinensis. Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology, 50(1), 65–73.
28.Thapa, B., et al. (2018). Altitudinal variation in total phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. needles. Himalayan Journal of Sciences, 11(2), 45–52.
29.Ulagesan, S., Nam, T. J., & Choi, Y. H. (2021). Biogenic preparation and characterization of Pyropia yezoensis silver nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, 44(1), 43–52.
Published
2026-05-25
How to Cite
Mamta Kashyap, & Sakshi. (2026). BIOGENIC SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING PINUS ROXBURGHII NEEDLE EXTRACT: PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND INSECTICIDAL EFFICACY AGAINST TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM (HERBST). IJRDO - JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 12(2), 32-47. https://doi.org/10.69980/bs.v12i2.6802
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Articles
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