Introduction:
Nanotechnology's incredible innovations have laid the way for developing new products in various industries, including agriculture, cosmetics, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. Nanotechnology comprises manipulating and controlling materials at the nanoscale, typically smaller than one hundred nanometers. This can produce nanocomposites and nanoparticles with distinct characteristics and uses.
Nanoparticles have improved biocompatibility and effectiveness even at low concentrations, making them desirable for various applications in medicine and cosmetics. While numerous methods exist for producing nanoparticles, the primary focus has switched to environmentally friendly synthesis involving biological entities such as fungi to generate nanoparticles safely and sustainably.
Fungi have been known to synthesize various extracellular enzymes that undergo hydrolysis of complex macromolecules and produce a hydrolyte in this process. The fungus's metabolic ability can be the main source of various metallic nanoparticles.
What Is the Environmentally Friendly Fungal Biosynthesis of Metal Nanoparticles?
The ecologically friendly production of nanoparticles relates to natural synthesis. Because of their ability to manufacture huge amounts of enzymes, proteins, and metabolites that act as reducing and capping agents, fungi have emerged as a possible candidate for the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles, including silver, gold, zinc oxide, and maghemite nanoparticles.
Fungal nanoparticles have various advantages over chemically manufactured nanoparticles, including nontoxicity, increased biocompatibility, flexible characteristics, and reduced cost. Extracellular and intracellular biosynthesis are the two basic pathways for producing fungal nanoparticles.
Fungi release substances such as proteins, enzymes, and quinones, which reduce metal ions and precipitate to form nanoparticles during extracellular biosynthesis. Intracellular biosynthesis, conversely, involves using enzymes and cellular ATP-dependent enzymes such as reductases and cellular ATPases to generate nanoparticles within fungal cells. For example, Fusarium oxysporum has been found to produce extracellular platinum and gold nanoparticles, whereas Aspergillus oryzae var. viridis can make nanoparticles both extracellularly and intracellularly. The selection of fungal species is influenced by parameters such as biomass results, ease of downstream processing, and desirable nanoparticle qualities. Both of these processes have been thoroughly investigated and have demonstrated considerable potential for producing metallic nanoparticles.
What Are the Applications of Fungal Nanoparticles in Medicine and Cosmetology?
Fungal nanoparticles' unique features make them appropriate for a wide range of applications in health and cosmetics. Fungal nanoparticles can be used as antivirals, anti bacterials, antifungals, anticancer medicines, drug delivery systems, and wound healing agents, among other things.
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Antibacterial Activity: Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms emphasize the need for new antimicrobial medicines. The antibacterial activity of fungal nanoparticles against various pathogens has been demonstrated. Silver nanoparticles from Agaricus bisporus displayed antibacterial efficacy against Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris. Hence, fungal nanoparticles have the potential to be efficient antibacterial agents.
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Antifungal Activity: Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles have the ability to treat nosocomial Candida infections through their antifungal properties and can eradicate the fungus after being generated by Bionectria ochroleuca and Aspergillus tubingensis. These nanoparticles have inhibited pathogen outgrowth, including the growth of Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida spp., as well as human fungal pathogens, including dermatophytes.
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Antiviral Activity: Aspergillus fumigatus-derived silver nanoparticles exhibit antiviral activity, decreasing HIV-1 replication. These nanoparticles decrease plaques and inhibit viral particles in bacterial cells. Silver nanoparticles with sizes ranging from one to ten nanometers can block HIV-1 virus attachment to host cell surfaces.
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Anti-Cancer Therapy: fungal-derived silver nanoparticles have demonstrated angiogenic, anti-proliferative, and anti-tumor activities. Biosynthesized gold nanoparticles can cause DNA damage and apoptosis in eukaryotic cells through their anticancer potential. Tellurium nanoparticles derived from fungi have cytotoxic effects against the breast cancer cell line and significant antioxidant effects.
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Drug Delivery: Nanoparticles have shown potential in drug delivery methods for treating various diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and microbial infections. These approaches specifically target cells, lowering drug toxicity and increasing drug safety. These nanoparticles are safe and efficacious in drug delivery, with therapeutic properties in diabetic mice and the ability to reduce vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
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Wound Healing: Silver nanoparticles treat ulcers, burns, and epidermal necrolysis with no side effects, bacterial growth suppression, and a shorter healing time. Biogenic silver compositions containing enoxaparin can treat wounds effectively.
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Cosmetology Applications: Preservatives are necessary for skincare products to avoid contamination and retain the product's appearance. Preservatives such as parabens and phenoxyethanol are routinely used, although they might cause skin irritation and UV radiation sensitivity. Penicillium-derived metal nanoparticles, such as silver nanoparticles, have antimicrobial and antibacterial characteristics. These nanoparticles can inhibit the growth of bacteria such as P. aeruginosa and E. coli, as well as fungal strains such as Candida spp., and improve cosmetic products' sensory qualities, spreadability, and sun protection. These nanoparticles can also aid in wound healing and serve as sensors in electronic and optical devices. However, the potential risk of toxicity is significant due to their efficient skin penetration and nanosize.
What Are the Advantages of Fungal Nanoparticles Over Other Methods?
Fungal nanoparticle biosynthesis has advantages over other approaches, such as bacteria-mediated or chemical synthesis.
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Compared to bacteria, fungi grow faster and require lesser cultivation requirements, making fungi more efficient for large-scale production.
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Fungi's extracellular production of nanoparticles facilitates downstream processing and eliminates the need for extra procedures to improve the process and break the cells to release nanoparticles.
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The fungal biomass and debris produced during biosynthesis can be used as organic fertilizers and are biodegradable.
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Fungal extracts dominate plant-mediated synthesis for metal nanoparticle production. Plants' complex metabolome causes variation in their biochemical composition, making process standardization more difficult. Fungal extracts, on the other hand, provide a more controlled and consistent production process. Furthermore, compared to plants, the expense of maintaining aseptic conditions for fungal cultures is cheaper.
Conclusion:
Combining mycology and nanotechnology holds tremendous potential for developing innovative applications in medicine and cosmetics. Fungal biosynthesis of nanoparticles provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly method of producing nanoparticles. Fungal nanoparticles have distinctive features, such as excellent biocompatibility and adjustable characteristics, making them useful for various applications.
