Applications of Nanoparticles Synthesized by Yeasts: A Green and Eco-Friendly Method

Abstract

There are physical and chemical methods for the synthesis of nanomaterials. But, due to the damage these methods cause to the environment, there is a pressing need for a green nanotechnology that is clean and eco-friendly for the development of nanomaterials. More precisely, green nanotechnology can be developed to minimize the potential environmental and human health risks associated with the fabrication and use of nano-based materials and products. Recently, biological synthesis has attracted the focus of scientists. The importance of Biological synthesis is being emphasized globally, because chemical methods are capital-intensive, use toxic chemicals and have low productivity. Thus, the need for clean, eco-friendly, cost-effective and biocompatible synthesis of metal nanoparticles has encouraged researchers to exploit biological sources as nanofactories. Biological synthesis of nanoparticles is quite novel, leading to a truly green approach that provides advancement over chemical and physical methods, as it is cheaper, environment friendly and easily scaled up for large-scale synthesis. In these methods there is no need to use high pressure, energy, temperature and toxic chemicals. Different biological systems are exploited for the rapid synthesis of nanoparticles, including bacteria, fungi and plant extracts. Microbes are the ?nanofactories? for the synthesis of nanoparticles. This book includes the green synthesis of nanoparticles by algae, diatoms, bacteria and plants. Moreover, the mechanisms behind the synthesis of nanoparticles have been discussed. The book should be immensely useful for students, researchers and teachers of biology, chemistry, chemical technology, nanotechnology, microbial technology and those who are interested in green nanotechnology. We would like to thank the staff of CABI, UK, especially Dr Sreepat Jain and Emma McCann, for their constant support. We wish to acknowledge the help and support rendered by our students, faculty colleagues and family members for their constant encouragement.