Applications of Microbe-Based Nanoparticles …
367
marine, extremophiles and plant dwelling endophytes ought to be explored systematically. Stability of NPs synthesized from various microorganisms still remains
unexplored. Therefore, systematic research has to focus on their stability under laboratory and pilot scale production. It is imperative to gain insight on inexpensive
downstream processing technologies for sustainable production of microbial-based
nanoparticles. Future studies must focus on industrial scale production of microbial
nanofactories. Comprehensive research studies should be carried on microbial-based
nano-biosensors, nanoherbicides, nanopesticides, plant growth promoters, precision
farming, and the effect of exposure of antimicrobial nanoparticles against the plant
pathogens needs to be well documented. Regulations and ethical issues need to be
dealt meticulously. Economics of NPs scale up must be addressed, and this will be
a roadmap for the feasibility and sustainability of tailor-made microbial-based NPs
in the market in the years to come.
6 Conclusion
This chapter has uncovered the current status and a panoramic view of microbial
nanotechnology in the scope of agricultural science and engineering. Current mechanisms, sources, advances, potential applications challenges and future perspectives
have been discussed. Nanoparticle synthesis using microorganisms is an eco-friendly
approach which could serve as an ancillary platform to physical and chemical
methods that release harmful chemicals to the environment. With the ongoing process
and efforts in improving the characteristics and mode of synthesis of NPs, it could
be possible for the implementation of these approaches on a commercial scale in the
near future.
References
Abboud Y, Saffaj T, Chagraoui A, Bouari AE, Brouzi K, Tanane O, Ihssane B (2014) Biosynthesis,
characterization and antimicrobial activity of copper oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) produced
using brown alga extract (Bifurcaria bifurcata). Appl Nanosci 4:571–576. https://doi.org/10.
1007/s13204-013-0233-x
Abdel Rahim K, Mahmoud SY, Ali AM, Almaary KS, Mustafa AE, Husseiny SM (2017) Extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Rhizopus stolonifer. Saudi J Biol Sci 24:208–216.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.02.025
Abdel-Raouf N, Al-Enazi NM, Ibraheem IBM (2013) Green biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles
using Galaxaura elongata and characterization of their antibacterial activity. Arab J Chem. https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2013.11.044
Adelere IA, Lateef A (2016) A novel approach to the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles:
the use of agro-wastes, enzymes and pigments. Nanotechnol Rev 5:567–587. https://doi.org/10.
1515/ntrev-2016-0024
Ahluwalia V, Kumar J, Sisodia R, Shakil NA, Walia S (2014) Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Trichoderma harzianum and their bio-efficacy evaluation against Staphylococcus aureus
367
marine, extremophiles and plant dwelling endophytes ought to be explored systematically. Stability of NPs synthesized from various microorganisms still remains
unexplored. Therefore, systematic research has to focus on their stability under laboratory and pilot scale production. It is imperative to gain insight on inexpensive
downstream processing technologies for sustainable production of microbial-based
nanoparticles. Future studies must focus on industrial scale production of microbial
nanofactories. Comprehensive research studies should be carried on microbial-based
nano-biosensors, nanoherbicides, nanopesticides, plant growth promoters, precision
farming, and the effect of exposure of antimicrobial nanoparticles against the plant
pathogens needs to be well documented. Regulations and ethical issues need to be
dealt meticulously. Economics of NPs scale up must be addressed, and this will be
a roadmap for the feasibility and sustainability of tailor-made microbial-based NPs
in the market in the years to come.
6 Conclusion
This chapter has uncovered the current status and a panoramic view of microbial
nanotechnology in the scope of agricultural science and engineering. Current mechanisms, sources, advances, potential applications challenges and future perspectives
have been discussed. Nanoparticle synthesis using microorganisms is an eco-friendly
approach which could serve as an ancillary platform to physical and chemical
methods that release harmful chemicals to the environment. With the ongoing process
and efforts in improving the characteristics and mode of synthesis of NPs, it could
be possible for the implementation of these approaches on a commercial scale in the
near future.
References
Abboud Y, Saffaj T, Chagraoui A, Bouari AE, Brouzi K, Tanane O, Ihssane B (2014) Biosynthesis,
characterization and antimicrobial activity of copper oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) produced
using brown alga extract (Bifurcaria bifurcata). Appl Nanosci 4:571–576. https://doi.org/10.
1007/s13204-013-0233-x
Abdel Rahim K, Mahmoud SY, Ali AM, Almaary KS, Mustafa AE, Husseiny SM (2017) Extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Rhizopus stolonifer. Saudi J Biol Sci 24:208–216.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.02.025
Abdel-Raouf N, Al-Enazi NM, Ibraheem IBM (2013) Green biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles
using Galaxaura elongata and characterization of their antibacterial activity. Arab J Chem. https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2013.11.044
Adelere IA, Lateef A (2016) A novel approach to the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles:
the use of agro-wastes, enzymes and pigments. Nanotechnol Rev 5:567–587. https://doi.org/10.
1515/ntrev-2016-0024
Ahluwalia V, Kumar J, Sisodia R, Shakil NA, Walia S (2014) Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Trichoderma harzianum and their bio-efficacy evaluation against Staphylococcus aureus