Acaricidal efficacy of silver nanoformulations of Commiphora molmol and Zingiber officinale against the camel Tick, Hyalomma dromedarii (Ixodida: Ixodidae)

Abstract

Ticks are blood- feeding ectoparasites transmitting many dangerous pathogens to humans and animals, leading to great economic losses. Emerging acaricide resistance has urged the use of eco-friendly acaricides. The novel In vitro application of the aqueous extracts of myrrh, Commiphora molmol (AME) and ginger, Zingiber officinale (AGE) and their corresponding silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), synthesized by subjecting myrrh and ginger extracts to laser ablation (NME and NGE, respectively), was evaluated against the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii by adult immersion bioassays. Moreover, spot- on treatments of infested cattle was done. AgNPs were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy and UV–visible spectrophotometry. The phytochemical profile showed that the used extracts contained phenols, gallic acid, flavonoids, and tannins. Fifteen days post- treatment (PT), 96 and 84.01% mortalities were observed PT with AME and AGE, respectively; 100% mortality was reached 7 and 9 days PT with 12% of NME and NGE, respectively. Three days PT, the LC50 values of AME, AGE, NME, and NGE were 10.37, 12.81, 2.38, and 4.12%, respectively. The corresponding LT50 values PT with 4% were 5.6 and 6.73, 2.25, and 3.56 days, respectively. Three days PT, AME, AGE, NME, and NGE reduced cattle- tick infestations by 54.45, 45.73, 100, and 100%, respectively. Ticks showed resistance against Deltamethrin (Butox®). This study demonstrated the novel acaricidal effect of myrrh and ginger and their silver nanoformulations through laser ablation, which increased the speed and efficacy of the aqueous extracts against H. dromedarii. Consequently, they could be produced as efficient eco-friendly pesticides after revealing their ecotoxocological profile.