Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles using pectin as a reducing agent: a systematic review of the biological activities

Abstract

Context

Pectin is a plant heteropolysaccharide that is biocompatible and biodegradable, enabling it to be an excellent reducing agent (green synthesis) for metallic nanoparticles (MNPs). Nevertheless, in the biological industry, pectin has been left behind in synthesising MNPs, for no known reason.

Objective

To systematically review the biological activities of pectin synthesised MNPs (Pe-MNPs).

Methods

The databases Springer Link, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, Mendeley, and ResearchGate were systematically searched from the date of their inception until 10^th February 2020. Pectin, green synthesis, metallic nanoparticles, reducing agent and biological activities were among the key terms searched. The data extraction was focussed on the biological activities of Pe-MNPs and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations for systematic reviews.

Results

A total of 15 studies outlined 7 biological activities of Pe-MNPs in the only three metals that have been explored, namely silver (Ag), gold (Au) and cerium oxide (CeO₂). The activities reported from the in vitro and in vivo studies were antimicrobial (9 studies), anticancer (2 studies), drug carrier (3 studies), non-toxic (4 studies), antioxidant (2 studies), wound healing (1 study) and anti-inflammation (1 study).

Conclusions

This systematic review demonstrates the current state of the art of Pe-MNPs biological activities, suggesting that Ag and Au have potent antibacterial and anticancer/chemotherapeutic drug carrier activity, respectively. Further in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research is crucial for a better understanding of the pharmacological potential of pectin synthesised MNPs.

Keywords:

• Polysaccharide
• rhamnogalacturonan I
• antibacterial
• anticancer
• drug carrier
• antioxidant
• wound healing
• anti-inflammatory

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful for the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS, 203.CIPPT.6711684) provided by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. The authors are also thankful for the financial assistance provided to Kogilavanee Devasvaran from Universiti Sains Malaysia (Graduate Assistant Scholarship).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS, Reference code: FRGS/1/2018/STG07/USM/02/9, Account code: 203.CIPPT.6711684) provided by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia.