Acaricidal effect of Iron nanoparticles against Hyalomma spp. in vitro

Hyalomma spp. is responsible for the transmission of bacterial, protozoan, rickettsial and viral pathogens in animals and humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acaricidal activity of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 NPs) size 15 nm against Hyalomma spp. in vitro. The acaricidal activity of Fe-NPs was evaluated at concentrations of 50, 125, and 250 μg/ml and controls (distilled water and Cypermethrin) following 10, 30, and 60 min of exposure in triplicate and the experiments were performed two spraying and contact methods. The results of this study showed that all concentrations of Fe-NPs had acaricidal activity, and a concentration of 250 μg/ml at an exposure time of 10 min had the highest acaricidal effect (85.7%). The median lethal concentration (LC50) values were 50 μg/ml in 60 min, and (LC99) values were 150 mg/ml in 30 min for Hyalomma spp.. The results showed that the spray method was more effective than the contact method. Statistically, there was no difference between the acaricidal effect of trivalent iron (Fe2O3) and quadrivalent (Fe3O4) iron nanoparticles. The findings of the present study showed that Fe-NPs had potent acaricidal activity. However, further in vivo studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of this nanoparticle.