Silver nanoparticles: A review of the production techniques to reduce toxicological risk in ecosystems and in human health

Erica T. dos Santos Lima; Victoria L.  Santana dos Santos; Camilla A. S.  Valença; Sona Jain; Juliana C. Cardoso; Ricardo L. C.  de Albuquerque-Júnior; André M. Lopes; Karolline  Krambeck; Patricia Severino; Eliana B. Souto

doi:10.5530/gjpb.2024.3.9

Authors

Erica T. dos Santos Lima Institute of Research and Technology, University Tiradentes, Av. Murilo Dantas 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2898-6962
Victoria L. Santana dos Santos Institute of Research and Technology, University Tiradentes, Av. Murilo Dantas 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil.
Camilla A. S. Valença Institute of Research and Technology, University Tiradentes, Av. Murilo Dantas 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil.
Sona Jain 1Institute of Research and Technology, University Tiradentes, Av. Murilo Dantas 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil. 2Post-Graduating Program in Biotechnology, Brazilian Biotechnology Northeast Network (Renorbio), Tiradentes University, Aracaju 49010-390, Brazil.
Juliana C. Cardoso 1Institute of Research and Technology, University Tiradentes, Av. Murilo Dantas 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil. 3Post-Graduating Program in Health and Environment, Tiradentes University, Aracaju 49032-490, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0357-4144
Ricardo L. C. de Albuquerque-Júnior Department of Pathology, Federal University of Santa Catarina. R. Delfino Conti, S/N, 88040-370, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4444-7632
André M. Lopes Department of Biotechnology, Lorena School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, Lorena, São Paulo, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3570-2470
Karolline Krambeck Health Sciences School, Guarda Polytechnic Institute, Rua da Cadeia, 6300-035 Guarda, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9645-4020
Patricia Severino 1Institute of Research and Technology, University Tiradentes, Av. Murilo Dantas 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil. 2Post-Graduating Program in Biotechnology, Brazilian Biotechnology Northeast Network (Renorbio), Tiradentes University, Aracaju 49010-390, Brazil.
Eliana B. Souto Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5530/gjpb.2024.3.9

Keywords:

Silver nanoparticles, green synthesis, antimicrobial resistance, plant extracts, bibliometric map

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are being proposed as a new pharmaceutical product because of their antimicrobial properties and eco-toxicological profile. AgNPs can be synthesized by physical or chemical methods. However, green synthesis, the so-called biosynthesis in which organic or biological materials are used, is becoming even more popular as it is economically sustainable and non-toxic. The latter plays a significant role in loading important bioactives during the synthesis. This review discusses the state of the art of using AgNPs as antimicrobial agents and their green synthesis and environmental impact. It focuses on works published since 2019 using new molecules, e.g., plant extracts, acids, bacteria and fungi, as innovative pharmaceuticals against antimicrobial resistance. A bibliometric map of works published since 2022 indexed to the Scopus core collection is also discussed, highlighting the main research areas of this innovative topic. Their physicochemical properties strongly influence the use of AgNPs and impact ecosystems and human health. Several approaches are described for their synthesis, highlighting that the toxicological risk can be mitigated by adopting green-based methodologies.