Editorial
, Volume: 14( 1)Microbial Chemistryââ‰ÂÂDriven Synthesis and Functionalization of Nanomaterials
Rodrigo A. Pacheco*
Department of Materials and Microbial Chemistry, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil,
*Corresponding author: Rodrigo A. Pacheco. Department of Materials and Microbial Chemistry, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil,
Email: rodrigo.pacheco.nanomat@protonmail.com
Received: may 04, 2024; Accepted: may 18, 2024; Published: may 27, 2024
Abstract
Nanomaterials have gained significant attention due to their unique physicochemical properties and wide-ranging applications in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and industrial fields. Microbial chemistry has emerged as a sustainable and versatile approach for the synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials, utilizing the metabolic capabilities of microorganisms. Microbes can produce nanoparticles and nanostructures with controlled size, shape, and surface chemistry under environmentally benign conditions. This article explores the role of microbial chemistry in nanomaterial synthesis, emphasizing the chemical mechanisms involved, material properties, and relevance to pharmaceutical and technological applications.
Abstract
Nanomaterials have gained significant attention due to their unique physicochemical properties and wide-ranging applications in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and industrial fields. Microbial chemistry has emerged as a sustainable and versatile approach for the synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials, utilizing the metabolic capabilities of microorganisms. Microbes can produce nanoparticles and nanostructures with controlled size, shape, and surface chemistry under environmentally benign conditions. This article explores the role of microbial chemistry in nanomaterial synthesis, emphasizing the chemical mechanisms involved, material properties, and relevance to pharmaceutical and technological applications.
Keywords: Microbial chemistry, nanomaterials, nanoparticle synthesis, biofabrication, functional materials.
Introduction
Nanomaterials exhibit size-dependent chemical and physical properties that differ markedly from their bulk counterparts, making them valuable in advanced technological applications. Microbial chemistry provides an alternative route for nanomaterial synthesis by harnessing the biochemical processes of microorganisms to reduce, precipitate, or assemble inorganic and organic materials at the nanoscale. Bacteria, fungi, and algae have demonstrated the ability to synthesize metal nanoparticles, metal oxides, and hybrid nanostructures through enzymatic reduction and biomineralization processes. From a chemical perspective, microbial metabolites such as enzymes, proteins, and polysaccharides act as reducing agents, stabilizers, and capping molecules, influencing nanoparticle nucleation and growth. These biologically mediated processes allow precise control over particle morphology and surface functionality, which are critical parameters for nanomaterial performance. Microbial synthesis of nanomaterials occurs under mild conditions, avoiding harsh chemicals and high-energy inputs commonly associated with conventional methods. This aligns microbial chemistry–based nanomaterial production with principles of green chemistry and sustainability. In pharmaceutical contexts, microbial-derived nanomaterials are explored for drug delivery, imaging, and antimicrobial applications due to their biocompatibility and tunable chemical properties. Advances in microbial strain engineering and process optimization have expanded the range of nanomaterials accessible through biological routes, highlighting the growing importance of microbial chemistry in nanoscience.
Conclusion
Microbial chemistry offers a sustainable and chemically versatile platform for the synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials. Continued exploration of microbial systems will enhance the development of functional nanomaterials for pharmaceutical, biomedical, and industrial applications.
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