Nanoparticles from Fungal Resources: Importance and Applications

Abstract

Nanotechnology has emerged as a most fascinating and attractive field during the last couple of decades. It is the most rapidly advancing science and possesses potential to revolutionize the disciplines of science and technology, medicine and agriculture. If it is exploited properly, it can revolutionize the entire society due to its wide scope of applications. In agriculture and forestry fields, nanotechnology can be used for conservation and exploitation of natural resources, production of crops and forest disease protection and management. Nanoparticles can be used in biocontrol of pathogens and for forest disease management in the field of forest pathology. Nanoparticle synthesis is mostly achieved through the use of chemicals through reduction, which can be a source of toxic materials entering into the environment, thereby causing a threat to environment and human life. Thus, a more sustainable green source is required for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Therefore, mycosynthesis can be a great option for green synthesis of nanoparticles as fabrication through fungal resources is fast, cheap and more sustainable. Hence, the synthesis of nanoparticles from fungal resources and their importance and applications have been discussed in this chapter.