Nanoparticles Synthesis with Marine Substances

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials of Marine Origin".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 20183

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Interests: nanoparticles; green synthesis; biological activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Interests: nanoparticles; synthesis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine life has always been a unique source of bioactive compounds with a formidable impact in fields such as medicine, cosmetics, and food industry.

Recently, the great development of nanotechnology with several applications in different fields has promoted the search for new methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles in a more sustainable approach. In this regard, marine resource appears as a great alternative to producing nanomaterials in an eco-friendly, non-toxic, and cost-effective way. The components extracted from marine resources, such as algae, have been proven to act as reducing and stabilizing agents during the synthesis.

This Special Issue will focus on nanoparticles synthesis mediated by marine organisms or compounds and the evaluation of their biological activity. It is a novel topic for Marine Drugs and we hope to receive manuscripts dealing with new research in the field. Relevant reviews on the topic are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. María Carmen Rodríguez-Argüelles
Dr. Noelia González-Ballesteros
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • green synthesis
  • nanomaterial
  • natural products
  • marine biomaterials
  • algae
  • marine microorganism
  • biological activity

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

19 pages, 2721 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Silver Carbonate Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using Marine Actinobacteria and Exploring of Their Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity
by Omar Messaoudi, Ibrahim Benamar, Ahmed Azizi, Salim Albukhaty, Yasmina Khane, Ghassan M. Sulaiman, Mounir M. Salem-Bekhit, Kaouthar Hamdi, Sirine Ghoummid, Abdelhalim Zoukel, Ilhem Messahli, Yacine Kerchich, Farouk Benaceur, Mohamed M. Salem and Mourad Bendahou
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(10), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21100536 - 13 Oct 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2894
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to different antimicrobial agents is growing with alarming speed, especially when bacterial cells are living in biofilm. Hybrid nanoparticles, synthesized through the green method, hold promise as a potential solution to this challenge. In this study, 66 actinomycete strains were isolated [...] Read more.
Bacterial resistance to different antimicrobial agents is growing with alarming speed, especially when bacterial cells are living in biofilm. Hybrid nanoparticles, synthesized through the green method, hold promise as a potential solution to this challenge. In this study, 66 actinomycete strains were isolated from three distinct marine sources: marine sediment, the algae Codium bursa, and the marine sponge Chondrosia reniformis. From the entirety of the isolated strains, one strain, S26, identified as Saccharopolyspora erythrea, was selected based on its taxonomic position and significant antimicrobial activity. Using the biomass of the selected marine Actinobacteria, the green synthesis of eco-friendly silver carbonate nanoparticles (BioAg2CO3NPs) is reported for the first time in this pioneering study. The BioAg2CO3NPs were characterized using different spectroscopic and microscopic analyses; the synthesized BioAg2CO3NPs primarily exhibit a triangular shape, with an approximate size of 100 nm. Biological activity evaluation indicated that the BioAg2CO3NPs exhibited good antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms and were able to remove 58% of the biofilm formed by the Klebsiella pneumoniae kp6 strain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Synthesis with Marine Substances)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4385 KiB  
Article
Valorisation of the Invasive Macroalgae Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar for the Green Synthesis of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potential
by Noelia González-Ballesteros, Mário Fernandes, Raúl Machado, Paula Sampaio, Andreia C. Gomes, Antonella Cavazza, Franca Bigi and Maria Carmen Rodríguez-Argüelles
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(7), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21070397 - 9 Jul 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2587
Abstract
Bacterial and fungal infections are a challenging global problem due to the reported increasing resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to conventional antimicrobials. Nanomaterials are a promising strategy to fight infections caused by multidrug-resistant microbes. In this work, gold (Au@UP) and silver (Ag@UP) nanoparticles were [...] Read more.
Bacterial and fungal infections are a challenging global problem due to the reported increasing resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to conventional antimicrobials. Nanomaterials are a promising strategy to fight infections caused by multidrug-resistant microbes. In this work, gold (Au@UP) and silver (Ag@UP) nanoparticles were produced for the first time by green synthesis using an aqueous extract of the invasive macroalgae Undaria pinnatifida (UP). The nanoparticles were characterized by a wide range of physicochemical techniques. Au@UP and Ag@UP demonstrated to be spherical and crystalline with an average size of 6.8 ± 1.0 nm and 14.1 ± 2.8 nm, respectively. Carbohydrates and proteins of the UP extract may participate in the synthesis and capping of the nanoparticles. The UP extract, Ag@UP, and Au@UP were assessed for their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Candida auris. Ag@UP showed the highest antimicrobial activity with very low MIC and MBC values for all the tested bacteria, and Au@UP demonstrated to be very effective against biofilm-producing bacteria. The antifungal properties of both Ag@UP and Au@UP were remarkable, inhibiting hyphae formation. This study points towards a very promising biomedical exploitation of this invasive brown algae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Synthesis with Marine Substances)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 5012 KiB  
Article
Sargassum natans I Algae: An Alternative for a Greener Approach for the Synthesis of ZnO Nanostructures with Biological and Environmental Applications
by Jose Luis López-Miranda, Fabian Mares-Briones, Gustavo A. Molina, M. A. González-Reyna, Isaac Velázquez-Hernández, Beatriz Liliana España-Sánchez, Rodolfo Silva, Rodrigo Esparza and Miriam Estévez
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(5), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21050297 - 13 May 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2653
Abstract
In this work, the influence of the Sargassum natans I alga extract on the morphological characteristics of synthesized ZnO nanostructures, with potential biological and environmental applications, was evaluated. For this purpose, different ZnO geometries were synthesized by the co-precipitation method, using Sargassum natans [...] Read more.
In this work, the influence of the Sargassum natans I alga extract on the morphological characteristics of synthesized ZnO nanostructures, with potential biological and environmental applications, was evaluated. For this purpose, different ZnO geometries were synthesized by the co-precipitation method, using Sargassum natans I alga extract as stabilizing agent. Four extract volumes (5, 10, 20, and 50 mL) were evaluated to obtain the different nanostructures. Moreover, a sample by chemical synthesis, without the addition of extract, was prepared. The characterization of the ZnO samples was carried out by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the Sargassum alga extract has a fundamental role in the stabilization process of the ZnO nanoparticles. In addition, it was shown that the increase in the Sargassum alga extract leads to preferential growth and arrangement, obtaining well-defined shaped particles. ZnO nanostructures demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory response by the in vitro egg albumin protein denaturation for biological purposes. Additionally, quantitative antibacterial analysis (AA) showed that the ZnO nanostructures synthesized with 10 and 20 mL of extract demonstrated high AA against Gram (+) S. aureus and moderate AA behavior against Gram (-) P. aeruginosa, depending on the ZnO arrangement induced by the Sargassum natans I alga extract and the nanoparticles’ concentration (ca. 3200 µg/mL). Additionally, ZnO samples were evaluated as photocatalytic materials through the degradation of organic dyes. Complete degradation of both methyl violet and malachite green were achieved using the ZnO sample synthesized with 50 mL of extract. In all cases, the well-defined morphology of ZnO induced by the Sargassum natans I alga extract played a key role in the combined biological/environmental performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Synthesis with Marine Substances)
Show Figures

Figure 1

31 pages, 13273 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Wound Healing Potential of Spirulina platensis Nanophytosomes: Metabolomic Profiling, Molecular Networking, and Modulation of HMGB-1 in an Excisional Wound Rat Model
by Hanan Refai, Amira A. El-Gazar, Ghada M. Ragab, Doaa H. Hassan, Omar S. Ahmed, Rehab A. Hussein, Samah Shabana, Pierre Waffo-Téguo, Josep Valls, Asmaa K. Al-Mokaddem, Heba Mohammed Refat M. Selim, Einas Mohamed Yousef, Sahar K. Ali, Ahmed Salman, Hagar B. Abo-Zalam and Rofida Albash
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(3), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21030149 - 24 Feb 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3816
Abstract
Excisional wounds are considered one of the most common physical injuries. This study aims to test the effect of a nanophytosomal formulation loaded with a dried hydroalcoholic extract of S. platensis on promoting excisional wound healing. The Spirulina platensis nanophytosomal formulation (SPNP) containing [...] Read more.
Excisional wounds are considered one of the most common physical injuries. This study aims to test the effect of a nanophytosomal formulation loaded with a dried hydroalcoholic extract of S. platensis on promoting excisional wound healing. The Spirulina platensis nanophytosomal formulation (SPNP) containing 100 mg PC and 50 mg CH exhibited optimum physicochemical characteristics regarding particle size (598.40 ± 9.68 nm), zeta potential (−19.8 ± 0.49 mV), entrapment efficiency (62.76 ± 1.75%), and Q6h (74.00 ± 1.90%). It was selected to prepare an HPMC gel (SPNP-gel). Through metabolomic profiling of the algal extract, thirteen compounds were identified. Molecular docking of the identified compounds on the active site of the HMGB-1 protein revealed that 12,13-DiHome had the highest docking score of −7.130 kcal/mol. SPNP-gel showed higher wound closure potential and enhanced histopathological alterations as compared to standard (MEBO® ointment) and S. platensis gel in wounded Sprague-Dawley rats. Collectively, NPS promoted the wound healing process by enhancing the autophagy process (LC3B/Beclin-1) and the NRF-2/HO-1antioxidant pathway and halting the inflammatory (TNF-, NF-κB, TlR-4 and VEGF), apoptotic processes (AIF, Caspase-3), and the downregulation of HGMB-1 protein expression. The present study’s findings suggest that the topical application of SPNP-gel possesses a potential therapeutic effect in excisional wound healing, chiefly by downregulating HGMB-1 protein expression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Synthesis with Marine Substances)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 1342 KiB  
Review
Nanoparticles from Microalgae and Their Biomedical Applications
by Agnieszka Sidorowicz, Giacomo Fais, Mattia Casula, Massimiliano Borselli, Giuseppe Giannaccare, Antonio Mario Locci, Nicola Lai, Roberto Orrù, Giacomo Cao and Alessandro Concas
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(6), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21060352 - 7 Jun 2023
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4151
Abstract
Over the years, microalgae have been a source of useful compounds mainly used as food and dietary supplements. Recently, microalgae have been used as a source of metabolites that can participate in the synthesis of several nanoparticles through inexpensive and environmentally friendly routes [...] Read more.
Over the years, microalgae have been a source of useful compounds mainly used as food and dietary supplements. Recently, microalgae have been used as a source of metabolites that can participate in the synthesis of several nanoparticles through inexpensive and environmentally friendly routes alternative to chemical synthesis. Notably, the occurrence of global health threats focused attention on the microalgae application in the medicinal field. In this review, we report the influence of secondary metabolites from marine and freshwater microalgae and cyanobacteria on the synthesis of nanoparticles that were applied as therapeutics. In addition, the use of isolated compounds on the surface of nanoparticles to combat diseases has also been addressed. Although studies have proven the beneficial effect of high-value bioproducts on microalgae and their potential in medicine, there is still room for understanding their exact role in the human body and translating lab-based research into clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Synthesis with Marine Substances)
Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 4610 KiB  
Review
Carbon Quantum Dots Based on Marine Polysaccharides: Types, Synthesis, and Applications
by Fernando G. Torres, Karen N. Gonzales, Omar P. Troncoso and Victoria S. Cañedo
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(6), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21060338 - 31 May 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3343
Abstract
The marine environment offers a vast array of resources, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, that can be utilized to extract polysaccharides such as alginate, carrageenan, chitin, chitosan, agarose, ulvan, porphyra, and many more. These polysaccharides found in marine environments can serve as carbon-rich [...] Read more.
The marine environment offers a vast array of resources, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, that can be utilized to extract polysaccharides such as alginate, carrageenan, chitin, chitosan, agarose, ulvan, porphyra, and many more. These polysaccharides found in marine environments can serve as carbon-rich precursors for synthesizing carbon quantum dots (CQDs). Marine polysaccharides have a distinct advantage over other CQD precursors because they contain multiple heteroatoms, including nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O). The surface of CQDs can be naturally doped, reducing the need for excessive use of chemical reagents and promoting green methods. The present review highlights the processing methods used to synthesize CQDs from marine polysaccharide precursors. These can be classified according to their biological origin as being derived from algae, crustaceans, or fish. CQDs can be synthesized to exhibit exceptional optical properties, including high fluorescence emission, absorbance, quenching, and quantum yield. CQDs’ structural, morphological, and optical properties can be adjusted by utilizing multi-heteroatom precursors. Moreover, owing to their biocompatibility and low toxicity, CQDs obtained from marine polysaccharides have potential applications in various fields, including biomedicine (e.g., drug delivery, bioimaging, and biosensing), photocatalysis, water quality monitoring, and the food industry. Using marine polysaccharides to produce carbon quantum dots (CQDs) enables the transformation of renewable sources into a cutting-edge technological product. This review can provide fundamental insights for the development of novel nanomaterials derived from natural marine sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Synthesis with Marine Substances)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop