Effective utilization of waste plastics towards sustainable control of mosquito

Six polymers (HDPE/LDPE: High density/low density polyethylene, PET: Polyethylene terephthalate, PS: Poly-styrene, PVC: Polyvinyl chloride and PP: Polypropylene) were converted to carbonised form by following standard protocol. The synthesized polymer origin carbon nanocomposites (POCNC) were characterized by proximate analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron micrograph (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron micrograph (TEM) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This polymer origin carbon was taken separately in distilled and tap water to prepare five different concentrations (T1: 1 mg/L, T2: 3 mg/L, T3: 5 mg/L, T4: 7 mg/L, T5: 10 mg/L) and the same solution were used for mortality and developmental study of Culex quinquefasciatus. Results revealed that the LC50 and LC90 for larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus in distilled water follows as: PET < PVC < HDPE < LDPE < PP < PS and PET < PVC < HDPE < LDPE < PP < PS, respectively. On the other hand, the significant results with pupicidal activity of carbon nanocomposites from PET (F = 6.8, p < 0.029) and HDPE (F = 6.2, p < 0.035) in distilled water, and adulticidal activity with HDPE for both distilled (F = 8.2, p < 0.02) and tap-water (F = 8, p < 0.2) was recorded. Results also revealed that POCNC has no negative impact on non-target organisms (Oedogonium sp. and Allium cepa). Therefore, polymer origin carbon nanocomposites could be a valuable tool towards control of mosquito.

Automated summary

Six polymers (HDPE/LDPE, PET, PS, PVC and PP) were converted to carbonised form and used as polymer origin carbon nanocomposites (POCNC). POCNC were characterized and tested for their effect on Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. Results showed that PET, PVC, and HDPE had significant larvicidal and pupicidal activity, while HDPE also had adulticidal activity. POCNC had no negative impact on non-target organisms. This study suggests that POCNC could be a valuable tool for mosquito control.