Biogenic Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

The biogenic or green synthesis of metal nanoparticles exploits biological agents – including bacteria, fungi, algae and plant extracts – to reduce metal ions into nanoscale structures. This approach offers a sustainable alternative to chemical and physical methods, operating under mild conditions and producing minimal toxic by-products. Metal nanoparticles synthesised biogenically, notably silver, gold and zinc oxide, exhibit unique physicochemical features such as enhanced surface-to-volume ratios and surface plasmon resonance, which underpin their suitability for diverse biomedical applications. Their intrinsic antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities, alongside the ability to be functionalised by bio-derived capping agents, have driven their development in diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, imaging contrast enhancement and wound-healing materials. Despite rapid advances, challenges persist in achieving uniform particle size, ensuring long-term colloidal stability, scaling up production reproducibly and fully characterising safety profiles. Current research focuses on optimising synthesis parameters, elucidating structure–activity relationships and advancing biocompatibility assessments to translate these green nanoparticles into clinical and commercial realities.

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Biogenic Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles for biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biogenic synthesis: A process in which living organisms or their extracts mediate the reduction of metal ions to form nanoparticles under mild conditions.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR): A characteristic optical phenomenon arising when conduction electrons at the nanoparticle surface oscillate in resonance with incident light, used to confirm nanoparticle formation.

Capping agent: Molecules, often proteins or polysaccharides of biological origin, that bind to nanoparticle surfaces to prevent aggregation and impart stability.

Monodispersed: Describes a population of nanoparticles that have a narrow size distribution, essential for reproducible biological interactions.

Mycotoxigenic fungi: Fungal species that produce toxic secondary metabolites (mycotoxins), which can contaminate food and pose health risks.

References

1. Exploring the Potential of Halotolerant Actinomycetes from Rann of Kutch, India: A Study on the Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications of Silver Nanoparticles. Pharmaceuticals (2024).
2. Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Produced by Soil Rare Actinomycetes and Their Significant Effect on Aspergillus-derived mycotoxins. Microorganisms (2023).
3. Microbial Nano-Factories: Synthesis and Biomedical Applications. Frontiers in Chemistry (2021).