Silver-based nanostructures as antifungal agents: Mechanisms and applications

Nanotechnology and nanomaterials, with their unique properties, are expanding the use of up-to-date technology in a variety of sectors, including health care, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and robotics, among others. Various nanotools are used to explore targeted delivery of drugs with minimum adverse effects and maximum utility. The metal nanoparticles possess superior properties for which they are widely applicable in nanotechnology whereas these properties are negligible in bulk materials like silver, gold, and other metals and cannot find any application owing to their inherent physicochemical, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties. In general, the transition and noble metals used in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles are cost-effective, and the steps involved in the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles are not complex. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess high surface plasmon resonance, have high thermal stability, and exhibit good electrical conductivity. Also, AgNPs possess intrinsic antimicrobial properties that are used extensively to inhibit the growth or completely kill specific disease-causing microbes. In this chapter, we review the mechanism of action and application of AgNPs as antifungal agents against fungal infections in plants and humans.