Biological applications of plant-derived gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles possess huge potential in various areas due to their numerous innovative features. Traditionally, nanoparticles synthesis was carried out using physical and chemical approaches. These approaches have several disadvantages, therefore the biological synthesis of nanoparticles has gained increased attention. These biological approaches utilize bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, yeasts, and plants. Nanoparticle synthesis using plant material creates nano factories as they provide nonhazardous, clean, and environmentally friendly methods with several physicochemical properties. Gold nanoparticles have gained special consideration due to their wide range of applications. Gold has huge potential in the medical and environmental area, due to its various therapeutic activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and catalytic applications. Plants produce various bioactive compounds which act as reducing and capping agents, to form stable and controlled shaped gold nanoparticles. In this chapter, an overview of different reports on gold nanoparticle synthesis using plants is provided. Additionally, mechanisms involved in synthesis, factors affecting the synthesis process, and biological applications of gold nanoparticles are also discussed.