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Nanotechnology has revolutionized many key industries-from the energy sector to medicine, to agriculture, to sports. Nanoparticles have enhanced physical, chemical and mechanical properties, making them incredibly versatile. However, the physical and chemical methods of producing nanoparticles are expensive and far from environmentally friendly.
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The biosynthesis of nanoparticles (made from life forms or made from life forms) is becoming a sustainable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly production method without the irritating chemicals and toxins required for current physical and chemical synthesis. In addition, the use of life systems such as plants, bacteria, and fungi can reduce the energy required for these processes, and even reduce them to ambient environmental conditions.
Researchers have been studying how to use microorganisms to produce green nanostructures, such as iron nanoparticles, in a sustainable and eco-friendly process. They focus on the green synthesis of nanoparticles from plant extracts, fungi or bacteria-especially their enzymes. They act as reducing agents for metal complex salts and eventually produce metal nanoparticles.
Nanobiotechnology combines nanotechnology, microbiology and biotechnology science; it uses microorganisms to synthesize nanomaterials through biotechnology methods.
Current methods of producing nanoparticles provide good production speed and well-controlled size and shape. Nevertheless, they are expensive in terms of financial costs and energy consumption. Their production also requires the use of hazardous chemicals and generates large amounts of biological waste.
Green synthesis is an area that is receiving increasing attention. It can not only make the process more economical, but also more environmentally friendly.
There are many ways to synthesize nanoparticle systems from plants, bacteria, and fungi. These methods are cost-effective, low-toxic, and biocompatible, which are particularly important in medical applications.
The synthetic procedures based on plant extracts have attracted more attention than the traditional synthetic methods of nanomaterials. Helianthus annuus (common sunflower) has been used to make gold nanoparticles, and the plant Trianthema decandra has been used to make gold and silver nanoparticles that have been used in biomedical applications.
Natural polysaccharides-a carbohydrate found in food-have also been explored as a means of making nanoparticles and particles.
For example, chitosan is a sugar found in the hard exoskeleton of shellfish. It has been used to make nanoprobes, nanoparticles and magnetic nanoparticles, which can be used for targeted cancer imaging or targeted drugs for cancer treatment. deliver.
The synthesis of nanoparticles from microbial sources can provide fast growth rates and low cost, and allows the cultivation of nanoparticles under ambient environmental conditions, thereby making them more environmentally friendly.
According to the researchers, due to the ability of inorganic material nanoparticles to survive in a metallic environment, they can be prepared through a reduction mechanism through intracellular and extracellular pathways.
The metal ions present in the environment are captured by microorganisms, and with the help of enzyme activities and microorganisms, these ions are converted into their elemental forms.
Especially fungi, because of their larger biomass and ability to eliminate toxic and hazardous chemicals, can provide higher yields of nanoparticles, which has aroused people's interest.
Enzymes using nanotechnology have also received a lot of attention because it produces higher activity and allows the enzyme to be recycled and reused. This is of great significance in the bioremediation of industrial wastewater.
Nanotechnology has opened up new ways to remove water pollutants; due to the size of nanoparticles, high surface area to volume ratio and unique chemical properties, these approaches are more effective than other methods. However, adopting environmentally friendly methods for their production can increase their ecological certification.
The combination of enzymes and nanotechnology can minimize the cell interaction of nanomaterials through steric hindrance (to slow down the reaction and control selectivity) and reduce surface energy, thereby helping to reduce the harm of nanomaterials to the environment.
In addition, enzymes provide additional catalytic properties, making nanomaterials more adaptable and efficient in bioremediation and green energy production. The immobilized enzyme is highly stable due to the resistance of unfolding and is not susceptible to diffusion constraints. They can also be used for multiple cycles with improved kinetics.
Nanobiotechnology is still in its early stages, but it has great potential, especially in drug delivery and wastewater remediation. Researchers believe that combining microbes and enzymes with nanotechnology provides a more environmentally friendly approach that can minimize the risks associated with chemically synthesized nanoparticles.
Nanobiotechnology is a safe, environmentally friendly and economical way of producing nanoparticles, but it is still a way to go before conventional use. Nanoparticles formed using green synthesis methods can be time-consuming to produce, and there are still difficulties in controlling their size and shape, which limits their commercial scale.
However, the application of these simple, efficient, and microbial-assisted nanotechnology will become a stepping stone for industry. Nevertheless, more investment and support are still needed to cultivate the power of nanotechnology in order to achieve sustainable and economical production.
Read on: Synthesize ZnO nanocomposites using pomegranate.
Dixit, M. & Shukla, P. (2020) Microbial nanotechnology for industrial wastewater bioremediation, the frontier of microbiology. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.590631/full
Gupta M., Seema K. (2021) Living Nano-factories: An Eco-friendly Approach to Medicine and Environment, Bio-manufactured Nanomaterials. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67223-2_6
Bhardwaj, B. et al. (2020) Eco-Friendly Greener Synthesis of Nanoparticles, Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7539319/
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those expressed by the author in a personal capacity, and do not necessarily represent the views of the owner and operator of this website, AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork. This disclaimer forms part of the terms and conditions of use of this website.
Since 2016, Kerry has been a freelance writer, editor, and proofreader, specializing in science and health-related subjects. She has a degree in natural sciences from the University of Bath and lives in the UK.
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