<p>Cyanobacteria – A Promising Platform in Green Nanotechnology: A Review on Nanoparticles Fabrication and Their Prospective Applications</p>

Abstract

Green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) is a global ecofriendly method to develop and produce nanomaterials with unique biological, physical, and chemical properties. Recently, attention has shifted toward biological synthesis, owing to the disadvantages of physical and chemical synthesis, which include toxic yields, time and energy consumption, and high cost. Many natural sources are used in green fabrication processes, including yeasts, plants, fungi, actinomycetes, algae, and cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are among the most beneficial natural candidates used in the biosynthesis of NPs, due to their ability to accumulate heavy metals from their environment. They also contain a variety of bioactive compounds, such as pigments and enzymes, that may act as reducing and stabilizing agents. Cyanobacteria-mediated NPs have potential antibacterial, antifungal, antialgal, anticancer, and photocatalytic activities. The present review paper highlights the characteristics and applications in various fields of NPs produced by cyanobacteria-mediated synthesis.

Lichens—A Potential Source for Nanoparticles Fabrication: A Review on Nanoparticles Biosynthesis and Their Prospective Applications

“…Nanotechnology has recently created a revolution in the scientific world, particularly in the industrial, medical, agricultural, and electronic sectors [ 1 , 2 ]. This revolution is due to the ability of this technology to generate new products in the nanoscale (at least one of their dimensions in the range 1–100 nm) with unique and desirable physicochemical and biological characteristics that are missing in their precursor forms [ 3 , 4 ]. These nanomaterials (NMs) have a high surface-area-to-volume ratio and can therefore be used in drug delivery [ 5 ], catalysis [ 6 ], therapeutics [ 7 , 8 ], theranostics [ 9 ], and detection and diagnostic fields [ 10 ].…”

“…These unique features of NPs facilitate the creation and development of new tools, processes, and products with applications in many sectors, including medicine, industry, and communication; thus, enthusiasm for producing novel nanoproducts has rapidly increased. However, this swift growth has resulted in harmful effects on living organisms and their environments [ 4 , 28 ]. This damage arises from using and yielding hazardous materials during the production of NPs via chemical synthesis approaches.…”

Lethal Mechanisms of Nostoc-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Against Different Pathogenic Bacteria

“… 15 , 16 The potentiality of nanoparticles (NPs) to be promising antimicrobial agents is returning to their physical and chemical properties. 17 The smaller size of NPs enables them to easily penetrate the cells such as bacteria causing cellular damage. 18 Additionally, larger surface area of NPs allows them to be load with antibiotics and antimicrobial agents increasing their efficiency; 19 their charges play important role in nano/cell interfere; 20 their stability, 19 biocompatibility and bioavailability enabling them to be used in different medical applications.…”

“…to fabricate metal precursors into their nanoforms. 17 , 21 , 24–26 Thus, green synthesis approach does not produce or use toxic materials, making it safer for living organisms and the environment. 27 , 28 Similarly, biological synthesis of NPs has become more attractive than physical synthesis methods because biological synthesis can easily be performed under normal laboratory conditions without expensive instruments, intensive power, or significant costs.…”

“… 27 , 28 Similarly, biological synthesis of NPs has become more attractive than physical synthesis methods because biological synthesis can easily be performed under normal laboratory conditions without expensive instruments, intensive power, or significant costs. 17 , 29 Recently, many investigations used cyanobacteria as a bio-factory for synthesizing NPs showing the higher reducing potentiality of these creatures to fabricate the precursors material into their nanoforms. 27 , 30 Hamouda et al reported that Ag-NPs synthesized by Oscillatoria limnetica revealing potent anticancer and antibacterial potentiality.…”