Biosynthesis, antimicrobial spectra and applications of silver nanoparticles: current progress and future prospects

Abstract

The importance of biological agents has been recognized as a promising tool for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles over conventional physiochemical methods that are laden with various type of drawbacks. The biomediated nanoparticles synthesis chiefly employing microorganisms and plants as nanofactories is gaining worldwide popularity over past few decades. Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles have demonstrated desirable physical and chemical and antimicrobial properties among other metallic nanoparticles. This article represents a comprehensive review of biosynthesis route for silver nanoparticles formation including the mechanism, extra- and intra-cellular types and remarkable outcomes of previously conducted research works on biosynthesis. Broad antimicrobial spectra including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, sporicidal of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles with major emphasis on their potential applications in biocatalysis, biosensing, food packaging and preservation, pest killing and plant growth promotion, biomedicine and diagnostics etc. have been discussed. Moreover, this article also encompasses meticulous description on challenges and future prospects of biosynthesis of nanoparticles.

KEYWORDS:

• Silver
• nanoparticles
• biosynthesis
• antimicrobial
• environment
• medicine

Acknowledgements

The University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India is greatly acknowledged for awarding prestigious Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship to Nimisha Tehri.

Disclosure statement

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