Trends in Biogenic Sustainable Nanotechnology

Biogenic synthesis has attracted tremendous attention due to its sustainable and eco-friendly methods for synthesizing several metals, such as silver, gold, copper, and zinc, and their oxide nanomaterials. In contrast, the traditional methods for synthesizing the nanomaterials, such as chemical and physical methods, are toxic and require high temperatures, which may be hazardous to the environment. Biogenically synthesized nanomaterials have unique physicochemical and biological properties. These nanomaterials have various applications in various fields such as cosmetics, biomedical application, cellular imaging, and drug delivery systems. Biogenic nanomaterials can be produced using plant parts such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and buds, and microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, algae, and yeast act as reducing and bio-capping agents to produce nanomaterials. Moreover, biological compounds contain several phytochemicals like alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, proteins, polysaccharides, carbohydrates, and amino acids that act as stabilizing agents and have potential clinical activities like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. In this chapter, we cover the biogenic synthesis and green nanotechnology approaches for synthesizing nanomaterials using biological agents, focus on the detailed use of plant materials and microbes, including biomedical applications, and provide insights into possible solutions for existing challenges.