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Gene & Protein in Disease Carpenter bee a substrate for green synthesis

1. Introduction

The fortuitous discovery of antibiotics about a century ago
led to the identification of a wide range of antimicrobials,
revolutionizing the control of infectious diseases, and
significantly improving health and life expectancy [1-3] .
However, the inappropriate use of these antibiotics in recent
years has become a key factor contributing to antibiotic
resistance, leading to the emergence of “superbugs” [4-6] .
Antimicrobial resistance poses a global threat, resulting
[7]
in the death of at least 1.2 million people every year . In
the United States of America, more than 2 million cases
of antimicrobial-resistant infections occur annually,
associated with at least 20,000 deaths [8,9] . Consequently,
there is a pressing need for alternative strategies to address
the growing issues associated with antibiotic resistance.
Figure 1. Adult Xylocopa virginica.
Nanotechnology has captured the attention of scientists Adopted from: https://www.environmentalpestcontrol.ca/bees/carpenter-bee.
around the world as a potential solution to overcome
bacterial resistance patterns [10-13] . Metallic nanoparticles for their antimicrobial activities (against bacterial pathogens)
have demonstrated antimicrobial properties against and antioxidant properties. This study introduces an
bacteria through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, alternative to chemically produced nanoparticles, presenting
cations release, or non-oxidative processes . Many new avenues for scientists engaged in the battle against
[14]
scientists have used various techniques, including chemical, antimicrobial resistance.
physical, and green synthesis methods, to synthesize
nanoscale metals with specific shapes and dimensions [15-17] . 2. Materials and methods

Green synthesis, also known as “eco-friendly nano- 2.1. X. virginica wings collection and preparation
factories,” holds greater value than traditional chemical The wings of deceased X. virginica used in the present
and physical synthesis. In comparison to chemical and study were collected in June 2022 from the Winston Salem
physical methods, green synthesis is more affordable State University campus in North Carolina, USA, and
and sustainable [18-20] . Green synthesis utilizes various transported to the laboratory. In the laboratory, the wings
organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, algal species, were gently incised with the aid of forceps, followed by
plants, and even the wings of certain insects, to serve washing twice with distilled water to remove particulate
as substrates for nanomaterial synthesis [21-24] . Despite matter. Subsequently, the wings were stored in sterile Petri
the versatility of green synthesis, there are no existing dishes until needed.
reports on the synthesis of nanoparticles from the wings
of Xylocopa virginica. Recognizable by its brightly colored 2.2. Biosynthesis and characterization of silver
body and/or wings (Figure 1) , X. virginica, commonly nanoparticles
[25]
known as the carpenter bee, is a group of bees that, as The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from
the name suggests, tunnel and nest in wood using their X. virginica was carried out following previously described
strong jaws to create galleries for rearing their young. After methodologies [30-32] . Briefly, 0.1 g of X. virginica wings was
7 weeks, newly formed adults leave the tunnels and embark weighed and added to 10 ml of distilled water, followed by
on foraging for food. The lifespan of adult males is typically incubation at 90°C for 60 min. Subsequently, the sample
shorter, often around 1 year, with many dying shortly after was centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant
mating. In contrast, adult females can live for more than (X. virginica wing extract) was collected, and its pH
2 years. was adjusted to neutral. Next, 1 ml of the X. virginica
While researchers have explored the antimicrobial wing extract was added to 49 mL of 1 mM silver nitrate
properties of insect wings [26-29] , the wings of X. virginica (AgNO ) solution at 28 ± 1°C for 60 min to synthesize
3
have received relatively less attention. Therefore, the present silver nanoparticles. The formation of nanoparticles was
study seeks to expand the scope of nanotechnological visually inspected, and the absorbance spectrum of the
™
applications in insects by utilizing deceased adult wings reaction was measured using GENESYS 180 UV-Vis
of X. virginica for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The Spectrophotometer (Fisher Scientific, USA) within the
synthesized silver nanoparticles were thoroughly evaluated range of 200–1000 nm. The spectrophotometer operated

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2023) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.2155