Microbial Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Biological Potential

Abstract

Nanostructured materials have wide range of biological applications. Microbial synthesis of nanomaterials is simple, cost-effective, eco-friendly, non-hazardous and biocompatible unlike other physical and chemical methods. Among metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have received significant attention due to their innate therapeutic and clinical properties. Various microbes such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and yeasts have been used for intra- and extracellular synthesis of AgNPs. Microbial synthesis of AgNPs requires different physiochemical and biological conditions. Altering these parameters help in acquiring AgNPs with controlled shape, size and dispersity. In this chapter, we provide an overview of microbe-mediated synthesis, mechanism, toxicity, biological properties and biomedical applications of AgNPs.