Trypsin inactivation by latex fabricated gold nanoparticles: A new strategy towards insect control

Abstract Before applying nanotechnologies in biomedical and environmental areas it is advised to study interactions of nanoparticles and other nanomaterials with biomacromolecule present in living system. Moreover there is scarcity of reports on interactions between nanoparticles and biomaterials. In present report a rapid, ecofriendly method of fabricating stable gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using latex of Jatropha curcas is reported for the first time. AuNPs found to have characteristic absorption maxima centered at 540 nm, multiple irregular shapes with size range from 20 to 50 nm and have crystalline nature. Latex fabricated AuNPs were found to inhibit catalytic potential of trypsin (a vital enzyme responsible for digestion, insecticide resistance and in several disease conditions). The interactions between AuNPs and trypsin were analyzed by UV–vis spectrophotometry and microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry which suggests formation of trypsin-AuNPs complex responsible for lowering catalytic activity of trypsin. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and particle size distribution studies further confirm complex formation between trypsin and AuNPs. Diverse interactions of metal nanoparticles with proteins such as covalent interaction, electrostatic interactions and binding to SH group of amino acid may be the reasons behind inhibition of trypsin activity. In vivo studies on serum of several vectors and agriculturally important pests supported instrumental results on AuNPs induced trypsin inhibition. This work will bring a new research direction to explore eco-friendly nanoparticle in insect control via inhibition of enzyme catalytic potential.