Bio-nanosensors: Synthesis and Their Substantial Role in Agriculture

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a recent emerging area having vast potential in almost every field of science due to their small size and larger surface area as compared to bulk phase materials. Synthesis of nanoparticles can be done from physical and chemical methods, but these days, bio-nanotechnology is in demand that associate principles of biology with physical and chemical methods to synthesize nanomaterials having precise functions. In bio-nanotechnology, the nanoparticles are synthesized from biological means such as plants or microbes also called as plant-microbe-engineered nanoparticles (PM-ENPs). PM-ENPs are more efficient, less toxic and cost effective as compared to physical and chemically synthesized nanoparticles. Plant-microbe-engineered nanoparticles have good anti-microbial activity because of electrostatic interaction with cell membrane of microorganisms and electrostatic interaction build-up inside the cell cytoplasm. The PM-ENPs such as zinc oxide (ZnO) and sliver (Ag) are helpful in increasing the growth of plant by guaranteeing that the nutrients are used in controlled manners by the plants. Plant-microbe-engineered nanoparticles as bio-nanosensors have confirmed their possibility of success in agriculture. Bio-nanosensors can be used for monitoring of crop health, pests attack, environmental stressors and plant diseases. The bio-nanosensors can be used in pathogen detection, sensing food eminence, adulterants, dye, vitamins, fertilizers, taste, smell and pesticides. Therefore, plant-microbe-engineered nanoparticles have significant role in advancement of agriculture. This chapter will pave the path for the possibility of synthesis of nanomaterials by biological means such as by different plant parts and microbes. Also, the role of different metal nanoparticles in making of different types of bio-nanosensors and their substantial role in agriculture advancement have also been emphasized.