Control of poultry chicken malaria by surface functionalized amorphous nanosilica

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that surface functionalized amorphous nanosilica can serve as an effective therapeutic agent against chicken malaria by physically absorbing serum lipids, thereby inhibiting parasite growth.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of surface modified amorphous nanosilica as a safe, effective treatment for poultry malaria, utilizing a physical absorption mechanism.

Findings

Nanosilica effectively reduces serum cholesterol components.

Surface functionalized nanosilica inhibits malarial parasite growth.

Developed from volcanic soil derived silica, safe for poultry and humans.

Abstract

Surface modified amorphous nanoporous silica molecules with hydrophobic as well as hydrophilic character can be effectively used as therapeutic drug for combating chicken malaria in poultry industry. The amorphous nanosilica was developed by top-down approach using volcanic soil derived silica as source material. Amorphous silica has long been used as feed additive for poultry industry and considered to be safe for human consumption by WHO and USDA. The basic mechanism of action of these nanosilica molecules is mediated by the physical absorption of VLDL, serum triglycerides and other serum cholesterol components in the lipophilic nanopores of nanosilica. This reduces the supply of the host derived cholesterol, thus limiting the growth of the malarial parasite in vivo.