Green Synthesis of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles from Flowers and Their Applications

Nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit peculiar and distinguishable physicochemical and biological characteristics. It is because of their nanoscale dimensions, which make them unique and different from their bulk counterparts. Metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) have recently received interest due to their potential medicinal, electrical, and magnetic properties. Among various metallic NPs, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been extensively studied for their biomedical, environmental, and industrial applications. Green synthesis of NPs utilizing flowers and other plant parts, or natural resources, has gained wide attraction over the past two decades. It represents a significant advancement in nanotechnology, as it addresses the environmental and health concerns associated with conventional methods. Flowers have higher concentrations of a diverse group of bioactive phytochemicals and, therefore, are used to produce stable metallic NPs in various sizes and shapes. The flower-assisted NPs have found applications in different fields. The main objective of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive exploration of the utilization of flowers as a source for the environmentally friendly (green) synthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs. Their applications have also been discussed in detail.