Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plants:

Abstract
In current era, the growth of efficient green chemistry methods for synthesis of metal
nanoparticles has seek greater attention for researchers. In order to find an eco-friendly technique
for production of well-characterized nanoparticles, they have investigated one of the most
appropriate methods i-e is production of metal nanoparticles by the use of living entities. Among
these organisms; plants are considered as the best candidates. Nanoparticles produced by plants
are more stable, with fast rate of synthesis.

1. Introduction

“Nanotechnology is the application of science to control matter at the molecular level” It is

gaining importance in areas such as mechanics, optics, biomedical sciences, chemical
industry, electronics, space industries, drug-gene delivery, energy science, catalysis,6,7
optoelectronic devices [1]. Nanoparticles are of great interest due to their extremely small
size and large surface to volume ratio, which lead to both chemical and physical differences
in their properties (e.g. mechanical properties, biological and sterical properties, catalytic
activity, thermal and electrical conductivity, optical absorption and melting point) compared
to bulk of the same chemical composition[2]. These particles also have many applications in
different fields such as medical imaging, nanocomposites, filters, drug delivery, and
hyperthermia of tumors[3].

2. Plant biomass and/or living plant

Researchers pay consideration to use of plants to photosynthesize metallic nanoparticles.
Gardea-Torresdey et al. have reported for the first time the formation of gold and silver
nanoparticles inside living plants. They have demonstrated the synthesis of gold and
silver nanoparticles within live Medicagosativa (alfalfa) plants by gold and silver ion
uptake, respectively, from solid media. The alfalfa plants were grown in an AuCl 4 --rich
environment. The information about uptake and formation of these nanoparticles was
confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and transmission electron
microscopy (TEM). The gold nanoparticles were in crystalline state[4, 5].
Magnetite nanoparticles attracted great attention for many important technological and
biomedical applications such as drug delivery, cancer hyperthermia, optical and
nanoelectronic devices, magnetic separation, and magnetic resonance imaging
enhancement. New methods for growing nanoparticles are exploring the use of biological
systems. It was reported that iron oxide nanoparticles could be synthesized by using
alfalfa biomass[6]. An ethanol extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis was used for the
reduction of Au+3 on the surface of the magnetite nanoparticles and for the
functionalization of the Au-Fe3O4 nano-composite particles[7]. Harris et al.64 have
investigated the limits (substrate metal concentration and time exposure) of uptake of
metallic silver by two common metallophytes, Brassica juncea and Medicago sativa.
They demonstrated that B.juncea and M.sativa could be used in phytosynthesis (a broad
application of phytoextraction) of metallic silver nanoparticles[8].
Sesbania drummondii is a medium-sized perennial shrub in the legume family Fabaceae.
S. drummondii (leguminous shrub) seedlings could uptake high amounts of gold(III)
ions, resulting in intracellular formation of monodispersed spherical gold nanoparticles
(6–20 nm) inside plant cells or tissues. The catalytic function of the nanoparticle-rich
biomass was substantiated by the reduction of aqueous 4-nitrophenol (hazardous and
toxic pollutant). Attractively, nanoparticle-bearing biomatrix of S. drummondii reduced
aqueous 4-nitrophenol (4hydroxynitrobenzene).
3. Plant extracts
Current research in biosynthesis of nanometals using plant extracts has opened a new era
in fast and nontoxic methods for production of nanoparticles. Sastry et al. have studied
bioreduction of gold and silver ions by leaf both of Pelargonium graveolens and
Azadirachta indica[9]. Geranium leaf (P.graveolens) broth, when exposed to aqueous
silver nitrate solution, resulted in extracellular enzymatic synthesis of stable crystalline
silver nanoparticles[10]. The reaction of aqueous silver ions with Desmodium trifolium
extract resulted in extracellular production of silver nanoparticles at room temperature.
Extra cellular production of copper nanoparticles was carried out using stem latex of a
medicinally important plant, Euphorbia nivulia.
Conclusions
Various chemical, physical and biological synthetic methods have been used in
manufacturing of metal nanoparticles. Plant extracts are used to decrease metal ions faster
than fungi or bacteria. Reduction potential of ions and reducing capacity of plants which
 depend on the presence of polyphenols, enzymes, and other chelating agents present in
plants have critical effects on the amounts of nanoparticle production.

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