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Biologically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles: The Next- Generation Antimicrobials
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Mr. Gaurav Kumar*
Email: gaurav.rose@yahoo.com
The next big thing is going to be very, very small. Any advanced research carries inherent risk. But nanotechnology bears a specialburden.Thefield’sbidforrespectability is coloured by the association of the word, with a cabal of futurists who foresee nano as a pathway to a techno-utopia: unparalleled prosperity, pollution-free industry, even something resembling eternal life. My PhD story starts with a nano-dream of joining biology and chemistry, with the aim of biosynthesizing the next-generation antimicrobials. The biological synthesis of metal nanoparticles is currently an upcomingfieldofinterestfortheresearchers, and the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are finding multidimensional applications and are in greater demand. Biosynthetic processes, exploiting microorganisms, have appeared
as a simple, neat and practicable substitute to chemical and physical methods of nanoparticles synthesis. AgNPs show good antimicrobial properties due to their large surface area and volume ratio, and hence they had a wide range of medical applications in nanogels, nanolotions, silver-based dressing and covering of medicinal devices. In addition, some new therapeutic applications of AgNPs need to be investigated by in-vivo studies in a suitable animal model.
Biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles was done by employing the cellular extract of fungus Penicillium oxalicum GRS1 as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The conversion of Ag+ to Ag0 and hence silver nanoparticle production was observed by a gradual shift in the colour of the medium to
* Mr. Gaurav Kumar, PhD Scholar from Panjab University, Chandigarh, is pursuing his research on “Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Nitrate Reductase From Penicillium oxalicum GRS-1 and Evaluation of their Protective Efficacy Against Salmonella Infection in Murine Model”. His popular science story entitled “Biologically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles: The Next Generation Antimicrobials” has been selected for AWSAR Award.