Bioinorganic metal nanoparticles and their potential applications as antimicrobial, antioxidant and catalytic agents: a review

Abstract This review article covers the biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) having definite shape and size while using extract obtained from different biological sources such as bacteria, fungi, algae and plants. These biological materials are composed of chloroplast, thylakoid, different types of enzymes extracted from different biogenic sources, different phytochemicals such as phenols, flavonoids, and citric acid having functional groups such as sulfate, carboxyl, amino, amide and hydroxyl groups. These functional groups and enzymes act as efficient reductants to convert metal ions into metal atoms and alternatively metal atoms combine to form MNPs while long hydrocarbon chains present in these bio-macromolecules act as cage to stabilize them for prolong time. Effect of nature of source extract, different reaction conditions such as extract amount, salt amount and solvent used during MNPs preparation process have been critically discussed here in detail. Use of synthesized bioinorganic NPs in various areas including their effectiveness in fighting against bacteria, viruses, fungi, cancer, inflammation, and their potential role in catalytic reduction of environmental harmful substances into friendly products has also been described in a clear and concise manner along with their future consideration.