Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles Using Plant Extracts and Essential Oils

Area of Science:

• Natural Product Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Plant extracts and essential oils contain diverse bioactive molecules with applications in medicine, food, and cosmetics.
• These natural products exhibit significant antitumor, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and bactericidal activities.
• Conventional synthesis of nanomaterials often involves hazardous chemicals, prompting interest in greener alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the main molecular groups in plant extracts and essential oils.
• To discuss extraction, purification, and characterization methodologies for these biomolecules.
• To highlight the potential of plant products in synthesizing metallic nanomaterials and their antimicrobial properties.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review on plant-derived molecules and their applications.
• Analysis of extraction and characterization techniques for plant biomolecules.
• Evaluation of plant extracts in the synthesis of metallic nanomaterials.

Main Results:

• Plant extracts and essential oils are rich sources of bioactive compounds.
• These natural products can be effectively used in the synthesis of metallic nanomaterials.
• The synthesized nanomaterials exhibit significant antimicrobial activity, potentially enhanced by synergistic effects.

Conclusions:

• Plant-derived molecules are valuable in synthesizing functional nanomaterials.
• The synergy between plant molecules and metallic nanomaterials offers a promising avenue for developing novel antimicrobial agents.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the specific roles of molecules in nanomaterial synthesis and activity.