Preparation and characterization of silica nanoparticles using beach sand and their anti-viral activity against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV): in vitro and in silico studies

Nanotechnology can contribute significantly to the aquaculture sector for a wide range of applications. In this study, silica nanoparticles were prepared from beach sand and characterized. The XRD pattern was obtained and confirms the crystalline nature of potassium aluminium silicate [K(AlSi₃O₈)], sodium silicate (Na₂Si₂O₅), and silicon dioxide (SiO₂). FTIR confirms that intense peaks at 445, 795, and 1036 cm⁻¹ are characteristic of Si–O–Si stretching vibration. TEM micrograph of silica nanoparticles found a spherical morphology with an average size of 42 nm. In vitro anti-WSSV (white spot syndrome virus) activity was carried out using PmLyo-Sf9 cells by attachment inhibitory and virucidal activity; the optimum concentration was determined as 320 μg/mL. The interaction of silica nanoparticles and VP28 envelope protein was confirmed using in silico approach. The complexes K(AlSi₃O₈)-VP28, Na₂Si₂O₅-VP28, and SiO₂-VP28 had binding affinities of −5.2, −7.2, and −8.3 Kcal/mol, respectively.