Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and their versatile antimicrobial properties

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NP) have been used for over a century for many purposes including as germicides. Unique physical, chemical and biological properties of Ag NPs make them suitable for a wide range of applications in different industries and biomedical fields. Green nanobiotechnology with synthesis of NPs using biomolecules (protein, enzyme, DNA and plant extracts) have become a rapidly developing research area. Green synthesis methods have overcome the disadvantages of traditional physical and chemical synthesis approaches, such as high cost, long time scales and toxicity. In the green route, the biomolecules act as both reducing and/or stabilizing agents to produce biocompatible NPs. Promising results on antimicrobial activity of Ag NP against several pathogenic microorganisms have been reported in literature. The growth of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria could be inhibited by using Ag NP. This review mainly discusses the synthesis routes and characterization of biomolecules capped Ag NPs and their enhanced antimicrobial properties towards various human and plant pathogens.