Chapter 8 - Zinc nanomaterials: Synthesis, antifungal activity, and mechanisms

Abstract

Interest in one-step synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has increased, due to their unique properties like size, shape, binding energy, and bandgap. ZnO NPs are playing vital roles in clinical, textile, wastewater treatment, bioimaging, and agricultural fields, among many others. ZnO NPs can be synthesized by diverse chemical, physical, and biological methods. Interestingly, the control of synthesized ZnO NPs depends on size, shape, and surface morphology. Biological synthesis of ZnO NPs uses only a single step and is cost effective, nontoxic, and environmentally friendly, in contrast to other physical and chemical methods. Both single-cell and multicellular organisms can be used for synthesis of ZnO NPs, by either intracellular or extracellular mechanisms. Various bioassays such as the well diffusion method, disk method, and dilution method are used for screening the antifungal activity of ZnO NPs. In addition, ZnO NPs as unique vectors of agrochemicals facilitate targeted nutrients and growth hormone delivery, for improved plant growth and production. Furthermore, ZnO NPs have been utilized to improve animal health and livestock production. This chapter describes the synthesis, activity, and mechanisms of ZnO NPs in clinical applications, plant growth promotion, and fungal growth reduction. It covers the essentials of physical, chemical, and biological synthesis methods and gives a thorough description of ZnO NP advantages and disadvantages.