Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles and their therapeutic applications

Abstract Due to unique properties of nanoparticles including high surface area and small size they offer potential for their applications in diverse fields including biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. While most of the conventional physical and chemical methods for synthesis of nanomaterials involve high cost, use of hazardous chemicals and impose stress on the environment, green synthesis of nanoparticles is drawing attention day by day due to their eco-friendly and cost-effective nature. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of different shapes and sizes are among important metal nanoparticles in great demand. AgNPs exhibit characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR), individual AgNPs have large effective scattering cross section and they are toxic to a range of pathogenic microorganisms. Biosynthesized AgNPs, besides being eco-friendly and cost-effective exhibit high stability and loading capacity and hence, are suitable for therapeutic applications. In this chapter, microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) mediated and plant mediated biosynthesis of AgNPs, mechanistic aspects involved in biosynthesis and applicability of biosynthesized AgNPs for therapeutic purpose have been discussed.