Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials and Their Applications

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 22141

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
Interests: protein design and engineering; enzymes and their inhibitors; green nanobiotechnology; microbiome metagenomics; plant–microbe interactions

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Guest Editor
Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City 600355, Taiwan
Interests: clinical medicine; discovery of novel antimicrobial drugs and compounds; molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases; pathogenesis of infectious pathogens; microbial applications in agriculture and the environment
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Green synthesis, an eco-friendly, energy-saving, and sustainable process of metallic nanoscale objects and materials such as nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanocomposites has been gaining attention in the fundamental and applicational researches on bioresource technology and materials science. The utilization of nanomaterials, combined with their unique physicochemical and electromechanical properties, has been intensively investigated and widely developed in biomedical, medicinal, agricultural, and environmental fields. To avoid the harmful effects on the health and the environment, various biological materials from microorganisms and plants and biomolecules such as polysaccharides, proteins, enzymes, antibodies, lipids, chemicals, and cofactors are engineered to be capped or conjugated with nanomaterials to offer the stabilizing, reducing, and biocompatible characteristics for their therapeutic, diagnostic, sensing, analytical, catalytical, and cleaning functions.

The main objective of this interdisciplinary Special Issue on ‘’Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials and Their Applications’’ is to provide a platform for the exchange of novel advances at an international level with a high-quality collection of reviews and articles mostly on bottom-up engineering processes using biomaterials and biomolecules for the development of nanoscience and nanobiotechnology. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

  • The green synthetic process of nanomaterials;
  • The characterization and function of nanomaterials;
  • Applications of nanomaterials in various aspects.

Dr. Douglas J. H. Shyu
Dr. Yih-Yuan Chen
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biogenic
  • green synthesis
  • nanocomposite
  • nanofiber
  • nanomaterial
  • nanoparticle
  • phytogenic

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3904 KiB  
Article
Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Efficacy of Catharanthus roseus and Ocimum tenuiflorum-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles: Phytonanotechnology in Disease Management
by Acharya Balkrishna, Naveen Thakur, Bhavana Patial, Saurabh Sharma, Ashwani Kumar, Vedpriya Arya and Ryszard Amarowicz
Processes 2023, 11(5), 1479; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11051479 - 12 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1892
Abstract
Nanotechnology is an emerging multidisciplinary field that has the potential to offer solutions to pharmaceutical challenges starting from drug delivery to therapeutic applications. The plant-mediated method is eco-friendly and the most inexpensive of the various techniques used to synthesize nanoparticles (NPs). In this [...] Read more.
Nanotechnology is an emerging multidisciplinary field that has the potential to offer solutions to pharmaceutical challenges starting from drug delivery to therapeutic applications. The plant-mediated method is eco-friendly and the most inexpensive of the various techniques used to synthesize nanoparticles (NPs). In this study, silver (Ag) NPs have been successfully synthesized using leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus and Ocimum tenuiflorum. X-ray diffraction revealed an average crystalline size of 19.96 and 21.42 nm for C. roseus and O. tenuiflorum-mediated Ag NPs, respectively. Further, shape, size, and elemental composition were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectral technique. TEM study revealed spherical/spheroidal-shaped Ag NPs were formed between 10–48 nm with C. roseus and 17–55 nm with O. tenuiflorum. Both synthesized Ag NPs inhibited Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, where the effect was more prominent against E. coli (MIC 3.90 ± 0 µg/mL) with O. tenuiflorum Ag NPs. Mechanistic insights of antibacterial activity were also highlighted, and the activity might be attributed to the diverse mode of action of surface functionalized phytoconstituents and NPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials and Their Applications)
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16 pages, 2947 KiB  
Article
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), Biosynthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Their Impact to Improve Shoot Growth and to Reduce Salt Toxicity on Salvia officinalis In Vitro Cultivated
by Norah Arrak Alenezi, Fahad Al-Qurainy, Mohamed Tarroum, Mohammad Nadeem, Salim Khan, Abdalrhaman M. Salih, Hassan O. Shaikhaldein, Norah S. Alfarraj, Abdel-Rhman Z. Gaafar, Abdulrahman Al-Hashimi and Saleh Alansi
Processes 2022, 10(7), 1273; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10071273 - 28 Jun 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2786
Abstract
Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using plant extracts have recently attracted considerable attention due to their environmental protection benefits and their easy and low cost of fabrication. In the current study, ZnO NPS were synthesized using the aqueous extract of [...] Read more.
Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using plant extracts have recently attracted considerable attention due to their environmental protection benefits and their easy and low cost of fabrication. In the current study, ZnO NPS were synthesized using the aqueous extract of Ochradenus arabicus as a capping and reducing agent. The obtained ZnO NPs were firstly characterized using ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray absorption (EDX), zeta potential, and zeta size. All these techniques confirmed the characteristic features of the biogenic synthesized ZnO NPs. Then, ZnO NPs were evaluated for their effects on morphological, biochemical, and physiological parameters of Salvia officinalis cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium containing 0, 75, 100, and 150 mM of NaCl. The results showed that ZnO NPs at a dose of 10 mg/L significantly increased the shoot number, shoot fresh weight, and shoot dry weight of Salvia officinalis subjected or not to the salt stress. For the shoot length, a slight increase of 4.3% was recorded in the plant treated by 150 mM NaCl+10 mg/L ZnO NPs compared to the plant treated only with 150 mM of NaCl. On the other hand, without NaCl, the application of both concentrations 10 mg/L and 30 mg/L of ZnO NPs significantly improved the total chlorophyll content by 30.3% and 21.8%, respectively. Under 150 mM of NaCl, the addition of 10 mg/L of ZnO NPs enhanced the total chlorophyll by 1.5 times, whilst a slight decrease of total chlorophyll was recorded in the plants treated by 150 mM NaCl + 30 mg/L ZnO NPs. Additionally, ZnO NPs significantly enhance the proline accumulation and the antioxidative enzyme activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GR) in plants under salinity. Our findings revealed that green synthesized ZnO NPs, especially at a dose of 10 mg/L, play a crucial role in growth enhancement and salt stress mitigation. Hence, this biosynthesized ZnO NPs at a concentration of 10 mg/L can be considered as effective nanofertilizers for the plants grown in salty areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials and Their Applications)
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11 pages, 3451 KiB  
Article
Impact of Biogenic Ag-Containing Nanoparticles on Germination Rate, Growth, Physiological, Biochemical Parameters, and Antioxidants System of Tomato (Solanum tuberosum L.) In Vitro
by Abdalrhaman M. Salih, Ahmed A. Qahtan, Fahad Al-Qurainy and Bander M. Al-Munqedhi
Processes 2022, 10(5), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10050825 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2244
Abstract
Tomatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are considered one of the most effective and nutritious foods in the human diet. Moreover, the fruit of a tomato is rich in phytochemical compounds such as carotenoids, vitamins, and phenolics which are beneficial to human health. The [...] Read more.
Tomatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are considered one of the most effective and nutritious foods in the human diet. Moreover, the fruit of a tomato is rich in phytochemical compounds such as carotenoids, vitamins, and phenolics which are beneficial to human health. The objective of this present research was to investigate the impact of biogenic Ag-containing nanoparticles on seed germination rate and germination speed index, the development of the stem and root system, and physio-biochemical parameters. Ag-containing nanoparticles were synthesized biologically using a silver nitrate solution and aqueous seed extract of Juniperus procera, which acted as a capping and reducing agent. The impact of different concentrations (0.0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 25 mg/L) of Ag-containing NPs on seed germination rate, biomass accumulation, phenolic compounds, total protein, enzymes activity, and total soluble sugar of tomatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in vitro has been tested. The obtained result demonstrated that Ag-containing nanoparticles have a significant impact on tomato seed germination rate, germination speed index, and the development of stem and root systems. As well as photosynthetic pigments, total protein, enzymes activity, phenolic compounds, and total soluble sugar. We concluded that Ag-containing NPs can be a promising nano-fertilizer for improving crop growth and production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials and Their Applications)
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11 pages, 9023 KiB  
Article
A Combinatorial Approach towards Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity Using Tartaric Acid Capped Silver Nanoparticles
by Irshad Begum, Sana Shamim, Fuad Ameen, Zahid Hussain, Sartaj Ahmad Bhat, Tahir Qadri and Mumtaz Hussain
Processes 2022, 10(4), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10040716 - 08 Apr 2022
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 2229
Abstract
The convenient synthetic strategy for the one-pot synthesis of silver nanoparticles capped by tartaric acid with a controlled size is reported here. Their characterization is revealed through spectroscopic protocols, such as UV/Vis and FTIR, while SEM, DLS and a Zetasizer revealed the surface [...] Read more.
The convenient synthetic strategy for the one-pot synthesis of silver nanoparticles capped by tartaric acid with a controlled size is reported here. Their characterization is revealed through spectroscopic protocols, such as UV/Vis and FTIR, while SEM, DLS and a Zetasizer revealed the surface morphology, size distribution and surface charge on the nanoparticles. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band was observed at 406 nm with 1.07 a.u absorbance, the image for SEM shows that the particles were monodispersed and spherical in shape, while the z-average size distribution of AgNPs/TA in a colloidal solution was found to be 79.20 nm and the surface charge was monitored as −28.2 mV. The antibacterial activities of these capped nanoparticles alone and in synergism with selected fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin, sparfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and gemifloxacin) and macrolides (erythromycin and azithromycin) were assessed on selected Gram-negative as well as Gram-positive organisms by employing the disc diffusion method. Antioxidant activity against the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) was also evaluated using the standard assay method. The antibacterial activity of the antibiotics has been increased against studied microorganisms, showing the positive synergistic effect of the capped nanoparticles. A potential therapeutic application of AgNPs/TA in combination with antibiotics is determined from the results of the present research. These capped nanoparticles also possess good antioxidant activity and, therefore, can be used in various fields of biomedical sciences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials and Their Applications)
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16 pages, 2222 KiB  
Article
Biogenic Synthesis of Antibacterial, Hemocompatible, and Antiplatelets Lysozyme Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles through the One-Step Process for Therapeutic Applications
by Pravin Dudhagara, Jemisha Alagiya, Chintan Bhagat, Dushyant Dudhagara, Anjana Ghelani, Jigna Desai, Rajesh Patel, Ashaka Vansia, Dao Ngoc Nhiem, Yih-Yuan Chen and Douglas J. H. Shyu
Processes 2022, 10(4), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10040623 - 23 Mar 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2151
Abstract
To evaluate silver nanoparticles’ (AgNPs) therapeutic and clinical potentials, antibacterial action, blood compatibility, and antiplatelet activities are the main concerns for toxicity profiling. Heat-denatured lysozyme-mediated formulation stabilized the AgNPs, thereby providing more bactericidal activity and blood compatibility. The study of the synthesis of [...] Read more.
To evaluate silver nanoparticles’ (AgNPs) therapeutic and clinical potentials, antibacterial action, blood compatibility, and antiplatelet activities are the main concerns for toxicity profiling. Heat-denatured lysozyme-mediated formulation stabilized the AgNPs, thereby providing more bactericidal activity and blood compatibility. The study of the synthesis of AgNPs suggests the rapid and cost-effective formulation of AgNPs by one-step reaction using a 10:1 ratio of silver nitrate and lysozyme by incubating at 60 °C for two hours. Characterization of AgNPs was analyzed by UV–Visible spectroscopy, DLS, TEM, EDX, XRD, AFM, and FTIR, followed by antibacterial, hemocompatibility, and platelet aggregation testing. The average size of synthesized AgNPs was found to be 94.10 nm with 0.45 mV zeta potential and 0.293 polydispersity index by DLS. The TEM and EXD results indicated homogeneously 28.08 nm spherical-shaped pure formations of AgNPs. The XRD peaks showed the synthesis of small AgNPs with a crystallite size of 22.88 nm, while the AFM confirmed the homogeneity and smoothness of the monodispersed AgNPs. The FTIR spectra specified the coating of the lysozyme-derived amide group on the AgNPs surface, which provides stability and functionality of nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs was remarkable against six pathogenic bacteria and three multidrug resistance (MDR) strains (i.e., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), which exhibited inhibition zones with diameters ranging between 13.5 ±  0.2 mm to 19.0 ±  0.3 mm. The non-hemolytic nature of the AgNPs was calculated by percentage hemolysis with four concentrations. The negative result of platelet aggregation using platelet-rich plasma suggests the antiplatelet effect of AgNPs. Only minor hemolysis of 6.17% in human erythrocytes and mild platelet aggregation of 1.98% were induced, respectively, by the use of 1000 µL of 1 mM AgNPs, which contains approximately 107.8 μg silver. The results indicated that the antiplatelet potency and non-hemolytic nature with the antibacterial action of the lysozyme functionalized AgNPs have a good chance to be used to solve in-stent restenosis and thrombosis issues of the coronary stent and may also have a possibility to use in vaccination to resolve the blood clotting problem. So, the optimized biogenic formulation of AgNPs offers promising opportunities to be used as a therapeutic agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials and Their Applications)
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9 pages, 2488 KiB  
Article
Facial Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Using Chia Seeds Extract and Evaluation of Its Electrochemical Activity
by Noha Al-Qasmi
Processes 2021, 9(11), 2027; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9112027 - 13 Nov 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2360
Abstract
In the current study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized using chia seed extract in a simple, rapid, and eco-friendly manner for the first time. The synthesized CuO NPs were characterized using different analytical techniques. The images of field emission scanning electron [...] Read more.
In the current study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized using chia seed extract in a simple, rapid, and eco-friendly manner for the first time. The synthesized CuO NPs were characterized using different analytical techniques. The images of field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the CuO NPs were triangular and pyramid in structure, with a mean particle size of 61.5 nm. The absorption peak of the synthesized CuO NPs was measured using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and was recorded at a wavelength of 291 nm. The results of energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed that the CuO NPs synthesized using chia seed extract yielded high-purity CuO NPs. Moreover, the X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the highly crystalline nature of the CuO NPs, and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicated that the CuO NPs were prepared successfully. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed excellent electrocatalytic conductivity and fast electron transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface of the synthesized CuO NP-modified glassy carbon electrode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials and Their Applications)
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18 pages, 12921 KiB  
Article
Phytosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Extracts of Spices and Their Antibacterial Properties
by Gayathri Vijayakumar, Hindhuja Kesavan, Anisha Kannan, Dhanalakshmi Arulanandam, Jeong Hee Kim, Kwang Jin Kim, Hak Jin Song, Hyung Joo Kim and Senthil Kumaran Rangarajulu
Processes 2021, 9(8), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9081341 - 30 Jul 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4583
Abstract
To prevent microbial growth, chemical solvents are typically utilized. However, chemical solvents are hazardous to human health with low antimicrobial effects. Metallic-element (such as copper, silver, and gold) nanoparticles have many applications in biotechnology and biomedicine. Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are efficient owing to [...] Read more.
To prevent microbial growth, chemical solvents are typically utilized. However, chemical solvents are hazardous to human health with low antimicrobial effects. Metallic-element (such as copper, silver, and gold) nanoparticles have many applications in biotechnology and biomedicine. Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are efficient owing to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative properties. The objective of this study was to perform biogenic synthesis of copper nanoparticles using three different spices (star anise, seed of Illicium verum; nutmeg, seed of Myristica fragrans; and mace, membrane covering the seed of Myristica fragrans) and determine their antibacterial properties. CuNPs of spices were prepared by dissolving copper sulfate in the respective plant extract. They were then characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, GC-MS, EDAX, and SEM analysis. Results of UV-Vis spectroscopy showed the maximum absorbance peak at 350 nm. SEM analysis showed that the sizes of these CuNPs were in the range of 150–200 nm. EDAX analysis confirmed the presence of copper and oxygen and revealed that copper existed in an oxidized form. FTIR spectroscopy showed the presence of different functional groups in these synthesized nanoparticles. GC-MS analysis revealed compounds such as Anethole D-limonene, heptadecanoic acid, 16-methyl-, methyl ester, myristene, methyl eugenol, and methyl stearate, indicating the presence of functional groups. The antibacterial activities of the three extracts from spices were analyzed using growth zone inhibition and TLC-bioautography methods. The results showed that star anise spice extract had the highest antibacterial activity. These results indicate that such CuNPs phyto-formulated with spice extracts having antibacterial properties could be used as potential therapeutics for microbial diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials and Their Applications)
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17 pages, 3013 KiB  
Article
Copperpod Plant Synthesized AgNPs Enhance Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effect in Cancer Cell Lines
by Balashanmugam Pannerselvam, Devasena Thiyagarajan, Annamalai Pazhani, Kalaichelvan Pudupalayam Thangavelu, Hyung Joo Kim and Senthil Kumaran Rangarajulu
Processes 2021, 9(5), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9050888 - 18 May 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2361
Abstract
The utilization of biological resources on the manufacture of nano silver has attracted the interest of researchers to develop an eco-friendly, cost-effective technology in nanomaterials production. In the present study, plant-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using aqueous leaf extracts of the Copperpod [...] Read more.
The utilization of biological resources on the manufacture of nano silver has attracted the interest of researchers to develop an eco-friendly, cost-effective technology in nanomaterials production. In the present study, plant-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using aqueous leaf extracts of the Copperpod plant, which was well characterized. The ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometric study showed a maximum absorbance peak at 425 nm, and the observation of transmission electron microscopic features revealed that the nanoparticles size ranged between 20 and 70 nm. The synthesized AgNPs were tested for in vitro cytotoxic effects against cancerous cells, such as HepG2, A549 and MCF-7 cells. The findings showed that the IC50 values of AgNPs against cancerous cells viz., HepG2, MCF-7 and A549 cells, were observed to be 69 µg/mL, 62 µg/mL and 53 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, the apoptosis property was analysed using propidium iodide and acridine orange-ethidium bromide via the DNA fragmentation technique. Thus, the outcomes of the current analysis presume that the plant mediated AgNPs obtained from a synthesized Copperpod plant possess significant anti-cancer properties against various cancerous cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials and Their Applications)
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