# Metal Nanoparticles Produced Using Autotrophs and Their Bioproducts: A Comparative Overview between Photosynthesizing Taxonomic Groups

## TL;DR

This paper compares how different photosynthesizing organisms produce metal nanoparticles, highlighting patterns and opportunities for sustainable synthesis.

## Contribution

A comprehensive comparative analysis of nanoparticle synthesis by photosynthesizing taxa, identifying trends and research gaps.

## Key findings

- Angiosperms and cyanobacteria are the most used groups for nanoparticle synthesis.
- Gold nanoparticles are smaller than silver nanoparticles from the same taxonomic group.
- Antimicrobial activity is the most common application of green-synthesized metal nanoparticles.

## Abstract

Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) exhibit unique properties
influenced
by their size, shape, and dispersion uniformity. They can be synthesized
via chemical methods or green synthesis, commonly using plant or microorganism
extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. This eco-friendly approach
is valued, but the literature is unclear about which taxonomic groups
should be targeted to obtain certain types of MNPs. Given the ongoing
growth of research in this area, this study offers a comparative overview
that helps identify patterns and gaps in the current knowledge. This
study reviewed 485 articles, describing 652 monometallic and 10 bimetallic
nanoparticles synthesized using photosynthesizing organisms’
extracts. Angiosperms and cyanobacteria were the most utilized groups.
Silver and gold nanoparticles were the most studied MNPs. Gold nanoparticles’
size varied with taxonomic groups, but they were smaller than the
silver nanoparticles synthesized by the same group. Antimicrobial
activity was the most common application, highlighting the potential
of green-synthesized MNPs. This study provides valuable insights for
optimizing sustainable nanoparticle production since knowledge about
the specificities of different photosynthesizing taxa can be useful
for directing efforts and enhancing the efficiency and precision of
green-synthesized MNPs.