Mechanisms of nanoparticle biosynthesis by fungi

In the 21st century, nanomaterials play an increasingly important role, being used in many sectors, including: agriculture, medicine, chemical, textile, electronics and energy industries. Traditional nanoparticle (NP) synthesis methods rely on chemicals, leading to toxicity and high energy use. Green biological synthesis of NPs offers a safe, more sustainable alternative. The synthesis of NPs using fungi is an interesting, constantly developing field of research due to its simplicity, relatively low economic outlays and energy efficiency. Mycosynthesis eliminates the need for harmful chemicals. Moreover, fungi produce compounds that serve dual functions, acting as both reducing agents and stabilizers for NPs, allowing for stable, non-aggregating structures with enhanced biological activity. The variety of metabolites such as enzymes, polysaccharides, polypeptides, proteins and other macromolecules, have made fungi an excellent tool for nanoparticle synthesis. This paper reviews NP synthesis methods, with a particular focus on the use of fungi in the process.