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Noble metals and their compounds have been used as therapeutic agents from the ancient time in medicine for the treatment of various infections. Recently, much progress has been made in the field of nanobiotechnology towards the development of different kinds of nanomaterials with a wide range of applications. Among the metal nanoparticles, noble metal nanoparticles have demonstrated potential biomedical applications. Due to the small size, nanoparticles can easily interact with biomolecules both at surface and inside cells, yielding better signals and target specificity for diagnostics and therapeutics. Noble metal nanoparticles inspired the researchers due to their remarkable role in detection and treatment of dreadful diseases. In this review, we have attempted to focus on the biomedical applications of noble metal nanoparticles particularly, silver, gold, and platinum in diagnosis and treatment of dreaded diseases such as cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis (TB), and Parkinson disease. In addition, the role of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) such as novel antimicrobials, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) such as efficient drug carrier, uses of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) in bone allograft, dentistry, etc. have been critically reviewed. Moreover, the toxicity due to the use of metal nanoparticles and some unsolved challenges in the field have been discussed with their possible solutions.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) by fungi is emerging as an important branch of nanotechnology due to its ecofriendly, safe, and cost-effective nature. In order to increase the yield of biosynthesized SNPs of desired shape and size, it is necessary to control the cultural and physical parameters during the synthesis. We report optimum synthesis of SNPs on malt extract glucose yeast extract peptone (MGYP) medium at pH 9-11, 40-60°C, and 190.7 Lux and in sun light. The salt concentrations, volume of filtrate and biomass quantity were found to be directly proportional to the yield. The optimized conditions for the stable and rapid synthesis will help in large scale synthesis of monodispersed SNPs. The main aim of the present study was to optimize different media, temperature, pH, light intensity, salt concentration, volume of filtrate, and biomass quantity for the synthesis of SNPs by Fusarium oxysporum.

Abstract: Copper nanoparticles play an important role in the field of optics and electronics, and also as a novel antimicrobial. In the present study, we report antifungal activity of copper nanoparticles against selected crop pathogenic fungi. Copper nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction of Cu2+ in the presence of Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide and isopropyl alcohol. Characterizations of copper nanoparticles were carried out by UV–visible spectroscopy, nanoparticles tracking analysis (NTA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) which revealed that synthesized nanoparticles were coated by Cetyl Trimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) having particle size of 3–10nm. Copper nanoparticles demonstrated significant antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi: Phoma destructiva (DBT-66), Curvularia lunata (MTCC no. 2030), Alternaria alternata (MTCC No. 6572) and Fusarium oxysporum (MTCC No. 1755). Since for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles the present chemical method by using C-TAB-IPA is found to be simple, economic and fast, the synthesized copper nanoparticles can be used as a novel antifungal agent in agriculture to control the plant pathogenic fungi as well as potent disinfectant in poultry and animal husbandry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]