Biogenic Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) and its Biomedical application - Current & Future Prospects

Abstract

Green nanotechnology offers immense opportunities as it applies principles of green chemistry for synthesis of nanomaterial for various applications. Green gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) provide eco-friendly materials at low cost and toxicity, high chemical and thermal stability, enhanced degradation activity for environmental remediation and used in numerous biomedical fields. For biomedical application, the toxic chemical agents used for synthesis via conventional methods are a major deterrent. To address this, green synthesized of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were extensively studied. Continuous efforts have been focused on facile, low cost, pure, non-toxic and environment friendly approach for their synthesis. Their biocompatibility, photonic properties and their possible solubility in aqueous phases enabled the assimilation of AuNPs in diverse biomedical field. Different biological resources normally existing in the environment have been used for biosynthesis of biogenic nanoparticles that include bacteria, fungi, algae, yeast, cyanobacteria, actinomycetes, viruses and plants This review provides a comprehensive overview of synthesis and characterization of biogenic AuNPs with their broad applications in biomedical fields have also been elucidated along with their future prospects.

Keywords: Biogenic synthesis; Gold nanoparticles; Anti-bacterial activity; Biomedical applications