Bioproduction of Metallic Nanoparticles and Their Technological Applications

Metallic nanoparticles (MeNPs) are widely used in many technological applications such biomedicine, electronics or catalysis. Traditionally MeNPs are produced by physic or chemical methods such laser ablation, UV radiation, hydrothermal techniques, precipitation catalytic reduction or acid decomposition. Some of those conditions render MeNPs unsafe for medical applications, for example acidic pH or poisonous chemicals. The production of MeNPs using living organisms such bacteria, fungi or plants is less expensive and safer since use eco-friendly non-toxic materials. In addition an important feature of the biosynthetic MeNPs is their stability due to natural coating, whereas the MeNPs produced by physic-chemical methods requires the addition of stabilizing agents in the synthesis. Some microorganisms are also able to produce MeNPs with physicochemical properties (size, shape, crystalline structure, magnetic properties) and with stability difficult to obtain by chemical synthesis.

The aim of this Research Topic is to explore the scientific impact of the biotechnological process of MeNP production attending different approaches: (i) the molecular mechanisms underlying the bioproduction of MeNPs in different organisms, (ii) optimization of production and protocols for purification of MeNPs paying also attention to the possibility of functionalization and (iii) technological applications of the bioproduced MeNPs in biomedicine, electronic or catalysis areas.