Chapter 3 - Plant and microbe-based synthesis of nanoparticles and their applications

Abstract

In the last few decades, nanomaterials have captivated the attention of the global scientific community due to their potential uses in the pharmacy, medical diagnostics and disease treatment, agriculture, chemical and space industries, biosensing, environmental remediation, catalyst, and memory devices. This chapter presents an overview of recent advancements in synthesis of diverse nanoparticles (NPs) by a reliable and eco-friendly green approach using various plant extracts and microbes. In contrast to traditional methods, the biosynthesis of NPs with desired nature by using plant extract and microbial technology is faster, safer, and more eco-friendly. In this chapter, various plant extracts and microbes, including bacteria, fungi, yeast, and microalgae, have been explored for the synthesis of metal, metal oxide, and other important NPs. The current status and prospects of plant and microbe-based NPs and their application in various fields such as biomedical, agricultural, solid-state devices, and environmental remediation are also summarized.