Algal Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Biotechnological Potentials

Abstract

A nanoparticle can be defined as a small object that behaves as a whole unit in terms of its transport and properties. Nanoparticles are sized between 1 and 100 nm in diameter. Nanoparticles can act against the microbes in multiple ways, and the microbes are less likely to develop resistance against nanoparticles because it requires multiple gene mutations. The large surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles, their ability to easily interact with other particles, and several other features make them attractive tools in various fields. Nanoparticles are widely used various fields such as electronics, cosmetics, biomedical, and biotechnology. Nanoparticles can be synthesized by physical methods such as attrition, pyrolysis, and using some wet chemical methods. The physical and chemical methods have various drawbacks such as high cost of production, require high energy input and generation of toxic by-products. To overcome this, several biological methods are employed in the synthesis of nanoparticles. The biological methods are generally cost effective, nontoxic, and ecofriendly. This chapter focuses on the methods involved in algal-synthesized nanoparticles and its applications.

Synergistic effects of combinatorial chitosan and polyphenol biomolecules on enhanced antibacterial activity of biofunctionalized silver nanoparticles

“…Algae are unicellular or multicellular photosynthetic organisms that ecologically and economically of great importance. These simple autotrophic organisms typically dwell in copiously and extremely versatile groups in various environments such as the intertidal rocky shore, marine water, and freshwater 10 . Algae are classified as macroalgae and microalgae of which consider a valuable source in a wide range of commercial products, namely, pertaining to cosmetics, agriculture, and medicine.…”

Algal magnetic nickel oxide nanocatalyst in accelerated synthesis of pyridopyrimidine derivatives

“…These microorganisms are commercially and biologically of great importance since they contain valuable phytoconstituents that address the global market needs through virtual engagement in commercial products, for instance, cosmetics, biofuel, and drugs. In the aspect of biosynthesis, marine algae are known as “bionanofactory”, and hence, different nanoscale materials including alumina, zinc oxide, gold, have been synthesized through miscellaneous algae as a competent green synthesis method 5 – 7 .…”

In vitro biological activity of Hydroclathrus clathratus and its use as an extracellular bioreductant for silver nanoparticle formation

“…Hydroclathrus clathratus has been used as an antitumor, antioxidant, and antibacterial agent [28][29][30]; yet, to the best of our knowledge, there are no published studies on the biosynthesis of NPs from this algal species. Algae are considered as effective bionanofactories for synthesizing metallic NPs; hence, they are abundantly available, and both dead and live biomass can be successfully used in the production of metallic NPs [31]. There are two acceptable antibacterial actions of AgNPs: contact killing by infiltrating bacterial cells and Ag + ion-mediated killing by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) [32].…”