Green synthesis and antimicrobial mechanism of nanoparticles: applications in agricultural and agrifood safety

Abstract

The growing demand for food and its safety are a challenge for agriculture and agrifood. This has led to the incorporation of alternatives such as organic agriculture, the use of biocontrollers, the development of transgenic plants resistant to pathogens and the incorporation of nanotechnology. In this sense, agrochemicals based on nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed. Recently, the green synthesis of NPs has grown rapidly and, for this reason, molecules, microorganisms, fungi and plants are used. Synthesis from plant extracts offers a broad spectrum and, despite the fact that NPs are usually dispersed in size and shape, extensive antimicrobial effectiveness has been demonstrated at nanomolar concentrations. It has been shown that the mechanism of action can be through the dissipation of the driving force of the protons, the alteration of cellular permeability, the formation of bonds with the thiol group of the proteins, the generation of reactive species of oxygen, and the hyperoxidation of DNA, RNA and even the cell membrane. To improve the efficiency of NPs, modifications have been made such as coating with other metals, the addition of antibiotics, detergents and surfactants, as well as the acidification of the solution. Consequently, NPs are considered as a promising method for achieving safety in the agricultural and agrifood area. However, it is necessary to investigate the side effects of NPs, when applied in agroecological systems, on the textural, nutriment and sensory properties of food, as well as the impact on human health. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Application of Cystoseira myrica phycosynthesized selenium nanoparticles incorporated with nano‐chitosan to control aflatoxigenic fungi in fish feed

“…The NCt natural origin and its prominent capping ability provide more biosafety qualities regarding any potential SeNPs toxicity, because the nanometals' embedding within biopolymer matrix was previously established to minimize the metals' biotoxicity and augment their safety and biocompatibility 14,49,57 . The biosynthesis of SeNPs using CE should provide biosafe nanomaterials because of their natural origin and biodegradability characteristics 6 . Moreover, the capping of CE/SeNPs within NCt leads to more biosafe attributes as this encapsulation with biopolymer was stated to augment NC biosafety, compatibility and applicability in food systems 6,14,49,57 …”

“…14,49,57 The biosynthesis of SeNPs using CE should provide biosafe nanomaterials because of their natural origin and biodegradability characteristics. 6 Moreover, the capping of CE/SeNPs within NCt leads to more biosafe attributes as this encapsulation with biopolymer was stated to augment NC biosafety, compatibility and applicability in food systems. 6,14,49,57…”

“…6 Moreover, the capping of CE/SeNPs within NCt leads to more biosafe attributes as this encapsulation with biopolymer was stated to augment NC biosafety, compatibility and applicability in food systems. 6,14,49,57…”

“…plants, microorganisms, phytocompounds, biopolymers, etc. ), which were employed for the biosynthesis of nanometals in much biosafe, effectual, economic and facile manners, 6 phycosynthesis (algal synthesis) was introduced as an environmentally friendly process that uses algae to synthesize NPs, a method that has gained significant attention in recent years due to its sustainability and efficiency. 5,7 The process of phycosynthesis involves the reduction of metal ions into elemental form by an algal extract, leading to the formation of NPs.…”