Conifer-Derived Metallic Nanoparticles: Green Synthesis and Biological Applications

Abstract

The use of metallic nanoparticles in engineering and biomedicine disciplines has gained considerable attention. Scientists are exploring new synthesis protocols of these substances considering their small size and lucrative antimicrobial potential. Among the most economical techniques of synthesis of metallic nanoparticles via chemical routes, which includes the use of chemicals as metal reducing agents, is considered to generate nanoparticles possessing toxicity and biological risk. This limitation of chemically synthesized nanoparticles has engendered the exploration for the ecofriendly synthesis process. Biological or green synthesis approaches have emerged as an effective solution to address the limitations of conventionally synthesized nanoparticles. Nanoparticles synthesized via biological entities obtained from plant extracts exhibit superior effect in comparison to chemical methods. Recently, conifer extracts have been found to be effective in synthesizing metallic nanoparticles through a highly regulated process. The current review highlights the importance of conifers and its extracts in synthesis of metallic nanoparticles. It also discusses the different applications of the conifer extract mediated metallic nanoparticles.

Biosynthesis and Cytotoxic Properties of Ag, Au, and Bimetallic Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Lithospermum erythrorhizon Callus Culture Extract

“…It is generally accepted that this procedure promotes the enrichment of extracts with biological reducing agents, thus enhancing their capacity for the formation of nanocrystals. For example, boiling of the extract was important for conifer-mediated biosynthesis of metallic NPs [83].…”

Conifers Phytochemicals: A Valuable Forest with Therapeutic Potential

“…Conifers are woody, have needle-shaped single-veined leaves, and consist of male and female unisexual cones with bract scales [ 8 ]. They comprise eight families ( Pinaceae, Araucariaceae, Cupressaceae, Podocarpaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Taxaceae, Phyllocladaceae, Sciadopityaceae ), 70 genera, and 630 species [ 9 ]. A number of genera include a vast number of species, such as Pinus (110), Podocarpus (105), Juniperus (55), Abies (50), Picea (35), Dacrydium (21), Taxodium (29) Pseudotsuga (22) , Agathis (22), Araucaria (19), and Taxus (19), whereas there are some genera which contain a lower number of species, including Larix (10), Cedrus (4), Torreya (6) and Cryptomeria (1) [ 10 ].…”

Phytoantioxidant Functionalized Nanoparticles: A Green Approach to Combat Nanoparticle‐Induced Oxidative Stress

“…Green synthesis, which encompasses synthesis using plants, bacteria, fungus, algae, actinomycetes, and other organisms, is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, biocompatible, and safe [ 64 – 70 ]. Furthermore, phyto-mediated synthesis is preferable to a microbial method, which necessitates time-consuming and expensive downstream processing [ 71 , 72 ].…”