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Harnessing pycnidia-forming fungi for eco-friendly nanoparticle production, applications, and limitations

Summary

Scientists are using special fungi called pycnidial fungi to create tiny nanoparticles that could revolutionize medicine and environmental cleanup. These fungi naturally produce chemicals that can turn metal into useful nanoparticles without the toxic processes used in factories. The resulting nanoparticles show promise in fighting bacteria, cancer cells, and cleaning polluted water, offering a safer and more eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods.

Background

Nanotechnology enables synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) within 1-100 nm range through physical, chemical, and biological methods. Mycosynthesis using fungi represents an eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthesis methods. Pycnidial fungi have recently been explored for their ability to biosynthesize silver and gold nanoparticles.

Objective

This review examines the use of pycnidial fungi for synthesizing nanoparticles, exploring the underlying mechanisms and highlighting significant applications. The study evaluates the role of different pycnidial fungal members and discusses critical challenges in NP synthesis for commercial viability.

Results

Multiple pycnidial fungi synthesize AgNPs and AuNPs with various morphologies and sizes. Synthesized NPs demonstrate antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, and catalytic properties. Applications span biomedical, environmental, industrial, and agricultural sectors.

Conclusion

Pycnidial fungi represent a promising eco-friendly alternative for metal nanoparticle synthesis, offering advantages over chemical methods. Key challenges in scalability, reproducibility, stability, and toxicity assessment must be addressed before commercial implementation. Future research should focus on metabolic engineering, genetic modifications, and comprehensive regulatory frameworks.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMC12352327, PMID: 40822388
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