Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01074-x

REVIEW

Green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant extracts: a review

Sapana Jadoun1 · Rizwan Arif1 · Nirmala Kumari Jangid2 · Rajesh Kumar Meena3

Received: 19 July 2020 / Accepted: 6 August 2020 / Published online: 13 August 2020
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

Abstract
Green synthesis of nanoparticles has many potential applications in environmental and biomedical fields. Green synthesis
aims in particular at decreasing the usage of toxic chemicals. For instance, the use of biological materials such as plants is
usually safe. Plants also contain reducing and capping agents. Here we present the principles of green chemistry, and we
review plant-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles and their recent applications. Nanoparticles include gold, silver, copper,
palladium, platinum, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide.

Keywords Green synthesis · Nanoparticles · Sustainability · Waste treatment · Dye degradation

List of abbreviations SERS Surface-enhanced Raman scattering

4-AP 4-Amino phenol TWW​ Tannery wastewater
BET Brunauer–Emmett–Teller
CR Congo red
DLS Dynamic light scattering Introduction
2,4-DNPH 2,4-Dinitrophenilhydrazine
EDS Energy-dispersive spectroscopy “Nanotechnology deals with the processing of separation,
FESEM Field emission scanning electron microscopy consolidation, and deformation of materials by one atom
FTIR Fourier transform infrared or by one molecule” was well defined by Professor Norio
GO Graphene oxide Taniguchi, Tokyo Science University, for the term “nano-
MB Methylene blue technology.” In his words, it deals with the branch of the
MO Methyl orange science of manipulating matter on an atomic or molecular
MR Methyl red scale. Nanotechnology evolved as the scientific innovation
4-NP 4-Nitrophenol in the twenty-first century. It is an interdisciplinary area that
RhB Rhodamine B comprises the invention, handling, and use of those mate-
RGO Reduced graphene oxide rials scaling in size less than 100 nm. It deals to govern
matter at the molecular level and has firmly entered the
realm of the vast area of applications (Mansoori 2005). In
* Sapana Jadoun nanotechnology, day-by-day incredible growth has unbolted
[email protected]
up innovative applied and fundamental frontiers in a new
Rizwan Arif branch of research, i.e., materials science and engineering,
[email protected]
such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), nano-
Nirmala Kumari Jangid biotechnology, quantum dots, and applied microbiology
[email protected]
(Dvir et al. 2011). Nanotechnology is playing a critical role
Rajesh Kumar Meena in many significant technologies via nanoscale structures
[email protected]
(nanoparticles) in areas of optics, electronics, biomedical
1
Department of Chemistry, Lingayas Vidyapeeth, Faridabad, science, mechanics, drug-gene delivery, chemical industry,
Haryana 121002, India optoelectronic devices, nonlinear optical devices, catalysis,
2
Department of Chemistry, Banasthali Vidyapith, space industries, energy science, and photoelectrochemical
Banasthali, Jaipur 304022, India applications (Singh et al. 2019). Nanoparticles are the area
3
Department of Chemistry, Kalindi College, Delhi 110008, of excessive interest because of their large surface to volume
India

13
Vol.:(0123456789)
356 Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

ratio and tremendously small size (in nm) which leads to Green synthesis of nanoparticles
both physical and chemical modifications in their proper-
ties in comparison with the majority of the same chemical The three foremost conditions for the synthesis of nano-
composition (Ray 2010; Bakand et al. 2012). particles are the selection of green or environment-friendly
Many researchers and scientists have shown great interest solvent, a good reducing agent, and a harmless material for
in their unique features and found that, however, these have stabilization. For the synthesis of nanoparticles, extensive
outstanding applications in various fields, but numerous nan- synthetic routes have been applied in which physical, chemi-
oparticle materials revealed toxicity at the nanoscale size. To cal, and biosynthetic routes are very common. Generally, the
overcome the problem of toxicity, nanotechnology and green chemical methods used are too expensive and incorporate
chemistry merge to fabricate nature-friendly nanoparticles the uses of hazardous and toxic chemicals answerable for
via plants, microbes, etc. (Lateef et al. 2016). Researchers various risks to the environment (Nath and Banerjee 2013).
have developed many synthetic routes for nanoparticle fab- The biosynthetic route is a safe, biocompatible, environ-
rication which unveiled a notable benefit to nature & envi- ment-friendly green approach to synthesize nanoparticles
ronment via clean, nontoxic, and environmentally adequate using plants and microorganisms for biomedical applications
“green chemistry” methods which include organisms such (Razavi et al. 2015). This synthesis can be carried out with
as bacteria, fungi, plants (Duan et al. 2015). Numerous fungi, algae, bacteria, and plants, etc. Some parts of plants
studies have been already done for the synthesis of metal such as leaves, fruits, roots, stem, seeds have been used for
nanoparticles using bacteria like Bacillus subtilis (Sundaram the synthesis of various nanoparticles due to the presence
et al. 2012) and using some bacteria such as Penicillium sp. of phytochemicals in its extract which acts like stabilization
(Du et al. 2011), Fusarium oxysporum (Nelson et al. 2005). and reducing agent (Narayanan and Sakthivel 2011). For
Using plant extracts for the synthesis of numerous nano- nanoparticle synthesis, numerous biological and physico-
particles is the theme of this review as it is the most imple- chemical pathways fall under two discrete classes: a bottom-
mented method of eco-friendly and green approach toward up and top-down approach, Fig. 1. Nanoparticles synthesis
chemistry. This route attracted the attention of researchers via various biological and physicochemical approaches is
and scientists due to easy availability and wide distribution shown in Fig. 1.
of plants as well as it is safe to use and source of various
metabolites.
Bottom‑up approach

The bottom-up approach involves the generation of nanopar-

Principle of sustainable and green chemistry ticles from small units like molecules and atoms or through
the self-assembly of atoms into new nuclei, which further
“Green Chemistry” for “Sustainable development” has been
grow into a particle possessing nanoscopic dimensions and
universally studied for less than 15 years (Clark and Mac-
employing various chemical and biological methods, Fig. 2a.
quarrie 2008). Sustainable development can be defined as
the development which encounters the needs of the present
with balancing the capability of future generations to meet Top‑down approach
their individual needs (Robert et al. 2005). Sustainable
development has specific significance for chemistry-based In this approach, nanoparticles are formed by size reduction
industries due to its concern with evidence of pollution and method that means suitable bulk material reduces to small
the rough use of natural resources (Omer 2008). Chemistry units with the use of appropriate lithographic methods, for
has extended been supposed as a hazardous science, and example crushing, spitting, and milling, Fig. 2b.
frequently, the public associates the word chemical with haz- The stability, shape, and size of nanoparticles can be pre-
ard and toxic (Wilson and Schwarzman 2009). Generally, cise by controlling the temperature, pH, concentration of
there are many ways to diminish risk by using protection plant extract, and metal salt solution as well as incubation
called protective gear, but when safety precaution fails, the time. Siddiqi et al. (Siddiqi and Husen 2016) reviewed the
risk of hazards and exposure increases. In the condition of synthesis of palladium and platinum nanoparticles and pre-
high hazards and failing of exposure, the consequences can sented a complete process of synthesis of nanoparticles as
be disastrous which means it causes injury or death (Crowl well as their potential application as diagnostic, biosensors,
and Louvar 2001; Anastas and Eghbali 2010). Therefore, medicine, catalyst, and pharmaceuticals, Fig. 3.
designing harmless sustainable chemicals and procedures
needs striving to decrease the intrinsic hazards to the least
and limiting the danger of accident and damage (Centi and
Perathoner 2009; Al Ansari 2012).

13
Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374 357

Fig. 1  Nanoparticles synthesis

via biological and physicochem-
ical approaches

Fig. 2  Protocols for nanopar-

ticle synthesis: a bottom-up
approach for the synthesis
of nanoparticles via self-
assembling of various nuclei
and b top-down approach for
the synthesis of nanoparticles
via size reduction (reprinted
from Ahmed et al. 2016a with
permission from Elsevier)

Role of plants in green synthesis detoxification as well as accumulation by which environ-

of nanoparticles mental pollutants problem can be overcome because very
small traces of these heavy metals are also toxic even at
In the biosynthesis of nanoparticles environmentally very low concentrations (Shahid et al. 2017). There are
accepted “green chemistry” concept has been applied for advantages for nanoparticle synthesis with plant extract
the development of clean and environment-friendly nano- as compared to some other biological synthesis such as by
particles which involves bacteria, fungi, plants, actinomy- microorganisms as they can be done by complex actions
cetes, etc., which is said to be “green synthesis” (Pal et al. of preserving microbial cultures (Hulkoti and Taranath
2019). Biosynthesis of nanoparticles by using the above 2014). One advantage of plant-assisted nanoparticle syn-
organisms epitomizes a green substitute for the invention thesis is the kinetics for this route is ample higher than
of nanoparticles with innovative properties. In these syn- in other biosynthetic approaches equivalent to chemical
theses, unicellular and multicellular organisms are allowed nanoparticle preparation. Various parts of plants such as
to react (Mohanpuria et al. 2008). fruit, leaf, stem, root have been widely used for green syn-
Plants are known as chemical factories of nature thesis of nanoparticles due to the excellent phytochemicals
which are cost-efficient and need little maintenance. they produce (Iravani 2011). For nanoparticle synthesis,
Plants have revealed outstanding potential in heavy metal the part of the plant which has to be used in synthesis can
be washed and boiled with distilled water. After squeezing,

13
358 Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

solutions has gained considerable attention due to its great

potential for the removal of pollutants and toxicity from
wastes in an eco-friendly method (Carolin et al. 2017).
Many nanoparticles such as gold, silver, zinc oxide, iron
have been synthesized very easily by adopting a green
approach (Singh et al. 2018). The phytocompounds present
in the plant extract such as polyols, terpenoids, polyphe-
nols are responsible for metallic ions bioreduction (Ovais
et al. 2018).

Extraction of biologically produced metal

nanoparticles

Nanoparticles can be synthesized by flowers and leaves of

plants where parts of plants are thoroughly washed with the
help of tap water and sterilized by double-distilled water
followed by drying at room temperature. The dried sample
goes to the process of weighing and crushing. Afterward,
plants extract is mixed with Milli-Q H­ 2O as per desired con-
centration and boiled with continuous stirring. The obtained
solution is then filtered with Whatman filter paper, and the
part in which there is a clear solution was useful for sample
(plant extract) (Wang et al. 2019).

Types of nanoparticles

A wide variety of nanoparticles are synthesized by green

approach up to now and characterized by ultraviolet–vis-
ible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence analysis
(PL), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion analysis of
X-ray (EDAX), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), atomic force
microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron micros-
Fig. 3  Flowchart for synthetic route, characterization and applications
of green synthesis of palladium and platinum nanoparticles from copy (FE-SEM), thermal-gravimetric differential thermal
plant’s extract. Reprinted from Siddiqi and Husen (2016) with per- analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS),
mission from Springer attenuated total reflection (ATR), dynamic light scattering
(DLS) and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
(UV-DRS).
filtering, and adding respective solutions which nanopar-
ticles we want to synthesize, solution color starts chang- Ag nanoparticles
ing unveiled the formation of nanoparticles and we can
separate these, Fig. 4. Synthesis via natural plant extract For the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, the key
is an environment-friendly and cheap process by which requirements are silver metal ion solution and a reducing
we can avoid any utilization of intermediate base groups. biological agent. The easiest and inexpensive method for
Literature suggested accumulation, detoxification, and silver nanoparticles production is silver ion’s reduction and
phytoremediation of toxic metals by some plants, such stabilization by a fusion of biomolecules such as polysac-
as Thlaspi caerulescens, Maytenus founieri, Arabidopsis charides, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, saponins, alka-
helleri, Sesbania drummondii, Acanthopanax sciadophyl- loids, terpenes, and phenolics (Tolaymat et al. 2010). Silver
loides, Clethra barbinervis, and Brassica juncea. The use nanoparticles can be extracted from many medicinal plants
of these plants in heavy metal elimination from aqueous such as Saccharum officinarum (Chaudhari et al. 2012),

13
Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374 359

Fig. 4  Environment-friendly
and cheap route for the green
synthesis of nanoparticles using
plants extract

Helianthus annus (Dubchak et al. 2010), Cinamomum cam- water-soluble organics present in such plant materials. Some
phora (Huang et al. 2008), Oryza sativa (Dar et al. 2016), other factors also played a unique role in the biosynthesis
Aloe vera (Chandran et al. 2006b), Capsicum annuum (Li of silver nanoparticles such as pH of medium controlled the
et al. 2007), Medicago sativa (Lukman et al. 2011), Zea size of nanoparticles. The bark extract of Cinnamon zeylani-
mays (Rajkumar et al. 2019), Magnolia Kobus (Lee et al. cum plant formed more silver nanoparticles as compared in
2014) in the biological and pharmaceutical field. powder form. This indicated great obtainability of reducing
For the synthesis of shape-controlled and stable sil- agents in bark extract. The charge on the surface was found
ver nanoparticles, ecofriendly bio-organisms found in the highly negative by zeta potential studies, and EC50 values
extract of plants comprise protein treats as a capping agent were found 11 ± 1.72 mg/L against Escherichia coli BL-21
and reducing agent. Modification of silver nanoparticles by strain. Hence, the bark extract of the above-discussed plant is
polymers and surfactants revealed high microbial activity the perfect source of silver nanoparticles synthesis with high
against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (Sharma antimicrobial activity (Sathishkumar et al. 2009).
et al. 2009). Some researchers have done the synthesis of
silver nanoparticles by methanolic extract of Eucalyptus Au nanoparticles
hybrida plant (Dubey et al. 2009). Silver nanoparticles can
be obtained by boiling 10 g leaves of Nelumbo lucifera in Gold nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention
100 ml distilled water. The filtrate solution (12 ml) was fur- among all metallic nanoparticles due to their uniqueness
ther treated with 1 mM aqueous solution of A ­ gNO3 (88 ml) in a high potential for use in medicine and biology field
and incubated in dark at room temperature. A brownish yel- (Jain et al. 2006), more biocompatible nature (Sperling et al.
low color solution was designated as the formation of silver 2008), tunable surface plasmon resonance (Huang and El-
nanoparticles (AgNPs) (Santhoshkumar et al. 2011). Leaf Sayed 2010), low toxicity (Jeong et al. 2011), strong scat-
extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis was added to the ­10−3 M tering and absorption (El-Sayed et al. 2005), facile synthesis
solution of ­AgNO3 (25 ml) and stirred for 5 min dynami- methods, easy surface functionalization (Ghosh et al. 2008),
cally. At 300 K temperature reduction took place and com- etc. In the mechanism of synthesis of gold nanoparticles,
pleted in 30 min with the light brown silver nanoparticles various chemical moieties in biogenic complexes treat as
(Philip 2010). Silver nanoparticles were also synthesized reducing agents and react with gold metal ion with the result
by adding seed extract (5 ml) of Jatropha curcas to 1­ 0−3 M of its reduction and preparation of nanoparticles, Fig. 5.
aqueous solution of A ­ gNO3 (20 ml) and heating the mix- Some studies revealed that in plants extract, some biomol-
ture at 80 °C for 15 min. Meanwhile, the solution became ecules like flavonoids, phenols, protein, etc., act significantly
reddish indicated the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Bar in the reduction of metal ions and the topping of gold nano-
et al. 2009). particles (Fig. 6).
Kumar and labmates represented biosynthesis of silver For gold nanoparticles synthesis, the first study was
nanoparticles from silver precursors by bark extract of Cin- performed in 2003 by Shankar and his group by using the
namon zeylanicum plant. They suggested that the use of geranium leaf extract for reducing and capping agent. This
plant materials is considered green technology without using reaction was carried out for 48 h by using the terpenoids pre-
any harmful chemicals. Reduction of silver ions and altera- sent in leaf extract which was responsible for the reduction
tion of these to nanosized silver particles are mainly due to of gold ions to gold nanoparticles. Morphological studies

13
360 Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

Fig. 5  Green synthesis of silver

nanoparticles by plants extract
and ­AgNO3, its characterization
and applicants in various bio-
medical fields. Reprinted from
Pal et al. (2019) with permis-
sion from Elsevier

Fig. 6  Synthetic route of gold

nanoparticles by bioreduction
and stabilization of chemical
moieties present in the biogenic
complexes. Reprinted from
Ahmed et al. (2016b) with
permission from Elsevier

suggested that these nanoparticles were formed in numer- shape and size were seemed dependent on the quantity of
ous shapes such as triangular, spherical, decahedral, and leaf extract used and found triangle and 50–350 nm, respec-
icosahedral (Shankar et al. 2003). Further, they synthesized tively. Triangles of nanogold in larger sizes were formed by
gold nanoparticles with leaf extract of Azadirachta indica in using less amount of leaf extract to H
­ AuCl4 solution, while
2.5 h reaction time. The neem extract having an abundance enhancing the quantity of leaf extract spherical nanoparticles
of terpenoids and flavanones was probably absorbed on the were also formed in more quantity resulting in the decre-
surface of the nanoparticles and controlled their stability for ment in the ratio of nanotriangle to nanospherical particles.
4 weeks. Morphological studies revealed the shape of nano- By using low extract quantity of mushroom extract, some
particles was spherical and chiefly planar in which majority anisotropic gold nanoparticles were achieved having max-
was of triangular, while some were hexagonal (Shankar et al. ima of triangles and prisms, while very a smaller number of
2004). hexagons and spheres were achieved. When the quantity of
For tuning the shape and size of gold nanoparticles, Aloe mushroom extract was increased, hexagons and spheres were
vera leaf extract was used by Chandran et al. (2006a). The increased in the morphology of nanoparticles and the size of

13
Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374 361

nanoparticle was much smaller, while there was a decrement cancer cell line MGC-803 by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthia-
in nanotriangles. When the extracted quantity was increased zol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method
to its highest concentration, the nanoparticles formed were revealed the nontoxic nature of nanoparticles. SERS (sur-
in 25 nm size. The nanoparticles were also affected by tem- face-enhanced Raman spectroscopy) studies revealed the
perature which was cleared by receiving hexagons at 313 K capability of gold nanoparticles could substantially enhance
temperature at the highest extract quantity, while nanoparti- the Raman signals of rhodamine 6G without any treatment.
cles in dendrites shapes were achieved at 353 K temperature Hence, these nanoparticles were biocompatible as well as
(Philip 2009). having immense potential for hypersensitive detection of the
Temperature effect was also seen by Song et al. (Song biomarker in vivo and in vitro studies (Zhang et al. 2011).
et al. 2009) in the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by Recently, Islam and his coworkers synthesized gold nano-
Diopyros kaki and Magnolia kobus leaf extracts. They sug- particles with leaves extract of Salix alba.
gested that at higher extract concentration and higher tem- Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force micros-
perature, nanoparticles produced were smaller in size, and copy studies revealed that the size of nanoparticles was
the shape of these was found spherical, while at lower extract 50–80 nm and 63 nm, respectively. The involvement of
concentration and temperature, larger nanoparticles having amine, amide, and aromatic groups in successful reduction
various morphologies were obtained. Leaf extract of Ter- and capping for gold nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR
minalia catappa was used as a reducing and capping agent studies. These nanoparticles were highly stable in various
for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Hasty reduction of pH solutions as well as various volumes of salts but found
chloroaurate ions to gold nanoparticles was performed by unstable at eminent temperature. Gold nanoparticles synthe-
treating chloroauric acid solutions with leaf extract. Mor- sized by leaf extract of Salix alba were suitable for numer-
phological studies by transmission electron microscopy anal- ous pharmaceutical and biomedical applications due to its
ysis suggested the nanoparticles were formed in the range of superior antifungal activity, excellent antinociceptive, and
10–35 nm (Ankamwar 2010). Morphological studies of gold muscle relaxant properties (Islam et al. 2019). Gold nano-
nanoparticles synthesized by coriander leaf extract were particles were also synthesized recently by various plant
analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron micros- extracts such as Coffea Arabica (Keijok et al. 2019), Croton
copy and revealed triangle, truncated triangles, spherical Caudatus Geisel leaf extract (Kumar et al. 2019), Bacillus
and decahedral shapes, and size of 6.75–57.91 nm having marisflavi (Nadaf and Kanase 2019), Croton sparsiflorus
a usual size of 20.65 nm, Fig. 7. These nanoparticles were leaves extract (Boomi et al. 2020), the leaf extract of Citrus
found stable in solution at room temperature for 1 month limonum (Bhagat et al. 2020), Aeromonas hydrophila (Fer-
(Narayanan and Sakthivel 2008). nando and Judan Cruz 2020).
Zhang and labmates used chloroplast of Trifolium leaves
which were collected from the campus of Shanghai Jiao Pd and Pt nanoparticles
Tong University, China. They used chloroplast of leaves as
a reductant and stabilizer. These nanoparticles showed high Palladium and platinum both are silvery-white expensive
crystallinity having plane (111) as predominant orientation metals having high density. Biosynthesis of both nano-
and spherical particles of size 20 nm in diameter. Toxicology particles from plants has attracted wide attention of many
assays against gastric mucous cell line GES-1 and gastric researchers due to eco-friendly, sustainable, and economical

Fig. 7  Transmission electron

microscopy (TEM) of gold
nanoparticles synthesized
by leaf extract of coriander.
Reprinted from Narayanan and
Sakthivel (2008) with permis-
sion from Elsevier

13
362 Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

nature. Green synthesis of Pd and Pt nanoparticles has been amide group of Chlorella vulgaris in the reduction of metal
reported using various plant extracts such as Cinnamomum ions to the nanoparticle.
camphora, Gardenia jasminoides, Pinus resinosa, Anogeis- Leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) was used to
sus latifolia, Glycine max, Ocimun sanctum, Curcuma longa, reduce the ­Pt4+ ion into platinum nanoparticles of aver-
Musa paradisica, Cinnamom zeylanicum, Pulicaria gluti- age size 5–50 nm. To reduce the chloroplatinic ions into
nosa, Doipyros kaki, and many more (Siddiqi and Husen platinum nanoparticles, the protein was found responsible
2016). (Ahmed et al. 2016c). The same synthesis was also done by
When a methanolic extract of Catharanthus roseus, tulsi leaf broth (Ocimum sanctum) with a reaction tempera-
which is a mixture of eight compounds comprising –OH ture of 100 °C and achieved irregularly shaped aggregates
groups and responsible to reduce the metal ion to metal of about 23 nm size. The terpenoids, amino acids, ascorbic
nanoparticles, was stirred for 1 h with an aqueous solution acid, certain proteins, and gallic acid present in tulsi leaf
of [Pd(OAc)2] at 60 °C, solution color was changed revealed extract played an important role in the reduction of platinum
the formation of Pd nanoparticles which showed the absorp- ions. These nanoparticles opened up doors for water electrol-
tion peak at 360–400 nm range and morphological studies ysis applications (Soundarrajan et al. 2012). Some platinum
also supported the formation of spherical nanoparticles of nanoparticles were fabricated by Saudi’s dates extract (Barni
40 nm size, Fig. 8 (Kalaiselvi et al. 2015). and Ajwa) as these are a rich source of antioxidants and
Palladium nanoparticles were also fabricated using have brilliant antibacterial and antifungal properties as well
protein-rich soybean leaf extract containing amino acids. as these are excellent for therapeutic purposes, Fig. 10 (Al-
Confirmation of nanoparticles formation was done by ultra- Radadi 2019). Similarly, many researchers synthesized plati-
violet–visible, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, num nanoparticles by using plant extracts such as Diopyros
and morphology was confirmed by transmission electron kaki leaf extract (Song et al. 2010), Prunus × yedoensis tree
microscopy revealing 15-nm size nanoparticles. Spherical gum extract (Velmurugan et al. 2016), Terminalia chebula
particles of 5 nm size were derived by leaf extract of Anac- (Kumar et al. 2013).
ardium occidentale (Sheny et al. 2012). Renewable and non-
toxic black tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) extract were also Cu nanoparticles
used as reducing and stabilizing agent in Pd nanoparticles
preparation (Lebaschi et al. 2017). These nanoparticles were Copper nanoparticles are synthesized by various plant
applicable in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol as well as in extracts such as Aloe vera flower extract via the reduction
heterogeneous & effective catalysts in the Suzuki coupling of aqueous copper ions. The formation of an average size of
reaction along with phenylboronic acid and aryl halides. The 40 nm Cu nanoparticles was confirmed by 578-nm peak at
recycling capability of the catalyst was found 7 times with- UV–Visible spectrometer (Karimi and Mohsenzadeh 2015).
out losing its catalytic activity, Fig. 9 (Lebaschi et al. 2017). Green synthesis of Cu/GO/MnO2 nanocomposite was
By using the extract of Anogeissus latifolia and palladium performed by leaf extract of Cuscuta reflexa leaf extract
chloride, palladium nanoparticles were developed via the which is a rich source of numerous antioxidant phytochem-
green route which was confirmed by intense brown color icals such as Myricetin, Myricetin glucoside, Kaempferol-
appearance and broad absorption spectrum in the ultravio- 3-Oglucoside (Astragalin), Kaempferol-3-O-galactoside,
let–visible region. The average particle size of these was Kaempferol, Quercetin, Quercetin-3-O-glucoside, Querce-
4.8 ± 1.6 nm and spherical (Kora and Rastogi 2018). Arsiya tin 3-O-galactoside, Oleic acid, Palmitic acid, Linoleic
et al. (Arsiya et al. 2017) fabricated 5–20-nm average-sized acid, Linolenic acid, Stearic acid, Isorhamnetol, Cuscutin,
Pd nanoparticles by extract of Chlorella vulgaris in only Cuscutalin, Azaleatin, Amarbelin, Dulcitol, Bergenine,
10-min duration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy Beta-sitosterol, Luteolin, Maragenin, and Coumarin. The
(FTIR) studies suggested the involvement of polyol and above constituents are responsible for the conversion of

Fig. 8  Synthesis of palladium nanoparticles using Catharanthus roseus methanolic leaf extract and palladium ion. Reprinted from Kalaiselvi
et al. (2015) with permission from Elsevier

13
Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374 363

Fig. 9  Synthesis of Pd nanoparticles by black tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) extract, its catalytic activity in Suzuki coupling reaction, and reduc-
tion of 4-nitrophenol. Reprinted from Lebaschi et al. (2017) with permission from Elsevier

plant extract to a rich source of antioxidants for nanopar- recoverable and used for multiple times without losing any
ticle synthesis (Rahmatullah et al. 2010; Vijikumar et al. catalytic activity (Nasrollahzadeh et al. 2015a).
2011; Naghdi et al. 2018).
The Cu nanoparticles were immobilized on graphene ZnO nanoparticles
oxide/MnO 2 nanocomposites surface via the reduction
of ­Cu+2 ions to Cu nanoparticles by using Cuscuta refl- Zinc oxide nanoparticles have drawn considerable atten-
exa leaf extract, Fig. 11. These nanocomposites with Cu tion from researchers and scientists in the past 4–5 years
nanoparticles were used as the heterogeneous and recov- due to its wide applications field of the biomedical field as
erable catalyst for the reduction of rhodamine B, congo well as in optics and electronics. ZnO nanoparticles are of
red, methylene blue, methyl orange, 4-nitro phenol, and great interest due to inexpensive to synthesize, safe, and
2,4-DNPH by N ­ aBH4 in an aqueous medium (Naghdi et al. easy method of synthesis. These nanoparticles possess high
2018). Cheirmadurai and labmates prepared copper nano- exciton binding energy of 60 meV and a large bandgap of
particles on a large scale by using henna leaves extract as 3.37 eV, and due to this, these show various semiconducting
a reductant. They prepared nanobiocomposites conducting properties such as high catalytic activity, wound healing,
film by these Cu nanoparticles and collagen fibers which antiinflammatory, ultraviolet filtering properties and exten-
were left away from leather industries. The film was suita- sively used in various cosmetics such as sunscreen. These
ble for numerous electronic device applications (Cheirma- nanoparticles revealed various biomedical applications too
durai et al. 2014). Large-scale synthesis of 20-50-nm-sized such as antifungal, antibacterial, drug delivery, antidiabetic,
Cu nanoparticles was also done by using tamarind and anticancer. Up to now, numerous works have been reported
lemon juice (Sastry et al. 2013). In situ synthesis of Cu for ZnO synthesis and utilization by plants, microorganisms,
nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide/Fe3O4 was per- and others. Plant parts like flower, root, seed, leaves, etc., are
formed by using barberry fruit extract as a stabilizing and used for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, Fig. 12.
reducing agent and found useful in the active catalyst for ZnO nanoparticles can be synthesized by mixing of plant
the reaction of phenol with aryl halides to get O-arylation extract clear solution with 0.5 Mm solution of hydrated zinc
of phenol under the ligand-free condition as well as it was sulfate/zinc oxide/zinc nitrate and boiling the above mix-
ture at desired time and temperature to get effective mixing.

13
364 Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

Fig. 10  Structure of platinum nanoparticles fabricated with antioxidant-rich source Saudi’s Barni and Ajwa date extract. Reprinted from Al-
Radadi (2019) with permission from Elsevier

Time, temperature, pH, and some other parameters can be plant attributed similar size nanoparticles of 38.17 nm by the
optimized at this point. The reaction showed the change in Debye–Scherrer equation of XRD (Ambika and Sundrarajan
color revealed confirmation of ZnO nanoparticles. These 2015). A functional group such as alcohol, alkane, carbon-
nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques ate, amide, carboxylic acid, and amine is confirmed by FTIR
for spectral, morphological, and thermal analysis. Energy- studies in the involvement of nanoparticle synthesis.
dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and scanning electron Some ZnO nanoflowers were synthesized by B. licheni-
microscopy studies revealed different results from X-ray formis which were uniform in size and revealed highly
diffraction (XRD). For the synthesis of ZnO, the leaves of enhanced photostability and photocatalytic activity for
Azadirachta indica of Meliaceae family have been of utmost methylene blue (MB) dye degradation. These nanoflow-
used (Bhuyan et al. 2015). Flower and leaf of Vitex negundo ers degrade 83% dye, while self-degradation of methylene

13
Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374 365

Fig. 11  Biosynthesis of Cu
nanoparticles by using Cuscuta
reflexa leaf extract. Reprinted
from Naghdi et al. (2018) with
permission from Elsevier

Fig. 12  Biosynthesis of zinc

oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using
plants, microorganisms, and
others. Reprinted from Agarwal
et al. (2017) with permission
from Elsevier

blue was null, and at a different time interval, three repeated textiles, plastics, papers, tints, cosmetics, foodstuffs, etc.
cycles of the experiment showed 74% degradation which ­TiO2 nanoparticles in the colloid form are vigorously used
undoubtedly exhibited photostability of ZnO nanoflowers in the reduction of various toxic chemicals such as pollutants
formed (Auld 2001). Lactobacillus plantarum was used and dyes from water. Green synthesis of T ­ iO2 nanoparti-
in the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, which were found cles from plants is a better choice for toxic-free synthesis.
moderately stable with zeta potential value of − 15.3 mV Up to now, numerous plants have been used for its synthe-
(Selvarajan and Mohanasrinivasan 2013). sis and applications. The synthesis starts with the reaction
of a plant extract with T ­ iO2 salt. Initially, preparation of
TiO2 nanoparticles nanoparticle can be confirmed by the change in color of the
reaction mixture, after that the morphological and spectro-
Titanium oxide nanoparticles are of great interest as these scopic studies confimed their formation. These nanoparti-
exhibit exclusive morphologies and surface chemistry. cles are reported in light green to dark green color. ­TiO2
These nanoparticles are very useful in the preparation of nanoparticles in spherical shape were synthesized by the

13
366 Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

reaction of leaf extract of Annona squamosa L and an aque- Applications

ous solution of ­TiO2 salt at room temperature (Roopan et al.
2012). The reason for choosing mainly leaf extracts to syn- At present, there is an increasing demand for nanoparti-
thesize ­TiO2 nanoparticles is leaf extracts are always a rich cles commercially due to their broad area of applications
source of metabolites. ­TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized in industries (Stark et al. 2015), biomedical fields (Subbiah
by Goutam et al. (2018) by leaf extract of Jatropha curcas et al. 2010), electronics (Balantrapu and Goia 2009), markets
which was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible, Fourier trans- (Bergmann and de Andrade 2011), energy (Frey et al. 2009),
form infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, scan- and especially in chemistry (Louis and Pluchery 2012). Nan-
ning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, oparticles are of great interest for biomedical applications
dynamic light scattering, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller such as silver and gold nanoparticles that are most common
analysis, Fig. 13. which have been used in this field as well as the emerging
Likewise, Catharanthus roseus leaf extract was used to interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology, Fig. 14.
synthesize 25–110 nm ­TiO2 nanoparticles with irregular Gold nanoparticles have also been used specifically in
morphologies. In the leaf extract, the presence of aliphatic cancer therapy for the detection of cancer cells, protein
amines and alcohols was responsible for nanoparticle syn- assay, immunoassay, and capillary electrophoresis. In the
thesis (Velayutham et al. 2012). Irregular shaped and size medicine field, gold nanoparticles have of great interest. For
of 100-nm T ­ iO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by Moringa biological screening tests, they can be used as biomarkers.
oleifera leaf extract having superior wound healing capabil- To kill cancers, these treat as accurate and influential heat-
ity (Sivaranjani and Philominathan 2016). Similarly, nano- ers after cellular uptake. Along with these, they can induce
particles were achieved in 6 h by using Calotropis gigantea apoptosis in B cell-chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Signifi-
leaf extract. Primary amines in the extract were responsible cant antioxidant capacity was revealed by gold nanoparti-
for high bioreduction. These nanoparticles revealed out- cles produced by the leaf of Suaeda monoica, and DPPH
standing acaricidal activity against the larvae of Haema- radical-scavenging activity of these was found 43% at 1 mg/
physalis bispinosa and Rhipicephalus microplus (Marimuthu ml (Arockiya Aarthi Rajathi et al. 2014). Good antioxidant
et al. 2013). The uniform spherical size nanoparticles were activity was also shown by using leaf extract of Nerium ole-
fabricated by using Cucurbita pepo seeds extract (Abisha- ander on the various concentration of gold nanoparticles.
rani et al. 2019). Recently, synthesized nanoparticles from On increasing concentration of nanoparticles, antioxidant
plants, their properties, and applications are mentioned in activity was found to increase (Tahir et al. 2015). Gold nano-
Table 1. particles extracted by Gymnocladus assamicus exhibited the
great catalytic activity in reduction to 4-aminophenol from
4-nitrophenol (Tamuly et al. 2013). Outstanding catalytic
performance was shown in the reduction of methylene blue
dye by gold nanoparticles extracted from Sesbania grandi-
flora plant. Results for these showed decrement of methylene

Fig. 13  Possible mechanism for

synthesis of T
­ iO2 nanoparticles
by hydroxyl group of Jatropha
curcas leaf extract. Reprinted
from Goutam et al. (2018) with
permission from Elsevier

13
Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374 367

Table 1  Synthesized biogenic nanoparticles using plant extracts

Year Nanoparticle Plant origin Size (nm) Morphology Application References

2020 Au Gelidium pusillum 12 ± 4.2 Spherical Anticancer activity Jeyarani et al. (2020)
2020 Au Hibiscus sabdariffa 15–45 Spherical Antiacute myeloid Zangeneh and Zangeneh
leukemia (2020)
2020 Au Pimenta dioica 13 ± 4 Spherical Anticancer activity Kharey et al. (2020)
2020 Au Croton sparsiflorus 16.6–17 Spherical UV‐protection, antibacte- Boomi et al. (2020)
rial, and anticancer
agents.
2020 Au Desmodium gangeticum 16 ± 4 Spherical Antioxidant Ghosh et al. (2020)
2020 Au Litsea cubeba 8–18 Spherical Catalytic reduction of Doan et al. (2020)
4-nitrophenol
2020 Ag Dionaea muscipula 5–10 Quasi-spherical Antioxidant Banasiuk et al. (2020)
2020 Ag Elaeagnus umbellata 40 Spherical Antimicrobial Ali et al. (2020)
2020 Ag Reishi Mushroom 15–22 Spherical Antifungal Aygün et al. (2020)
2020 Ag Cestrum nocturnum 20 Spherical Antioxidant and antibac- Keshari et al. (2020)
terial
2020 Ag Malus domestica 16 – Antimicrobial Kazlagić et al. (2020)
2020 Ag Nauclea latifolia 12 Irregular Antimicrobial and anti- Odeniyi et al. (2020)
oxidant
2020 Cu Orobanche aegyptiaca < 50 Spherical Nematicidal activity Akhter et al. (2020)
2020 Cu Walnut shells 15–22 – Antibacterial, antioxi- Mehdizadeh et al. (2020)
dant, and anticancer
2020 Cu Anacardium occidentale < 20 Irregular spherical Efficient removal of Chandra and Khan (2020)
uranium
2020 Cu Hagenia abyssinica 34.76 Spherical, hexagonal, Antimicrobial Murthy et al. (2020)
triangular, cylindrical
2020 Pd Cotton boll peels 9.44 Spherical Catalytic activity against Narasaiah and Mandal
toxic azo-dyes (2020)
2020 Pd Syzygium aqueum 5–20 Irregular Catalysis in the coupling Manjare and Chaudhari
reaction (2020)
2020 Pd Rosmarinus officinalis 15–90 Semi-spherical Mizoroki–Heck catalytic, Rabiee et al. (2020)
antibacterial, and anti-
fungal activities
2020 Pt Nigella sativa L. 1–6 Spherical Antimicrobial and anti- Aygun et al. (2020)
cancer agent
2020 Pt Prosopis farcta fruits 3.5 Irregular – Jameel et al. (2020)
2020 Pt Phoenix dactylifera L. 2.3–3 Spherical Toxic and protective Al-Radadi and Adam
effects on ­CCl4-induced (2020)
hepatotoxicity in Wis-
ter rats
2020 Pt Tragia involucrata 10 Spherical Biomedical & pharma- Selvi et al. (2020)
ceutical applications
2020 ZnO Prosopis juliflora 31.80–32.39 Irregular Degradation of methyl- Sheik Mydeen et al. (2020)
ene blue dye
2020 ZnO Acalypha fruticosa 50 Spherical, hexagonal Antimicrobial Vijayakumar et al. (2020)
2020 ZnO Calotropis gigantea 31 Hexagonal and pyrami- Nitrite sensing, photo- Kumar et al. (2020)
dal catalytic, and antibac-
terial
2020 ZnO Urtica dioica 20–22 Spherical Antidiabetic Bayrami et al. (2020)
2020 TiO2 Lemon peel extract 80–140 Spherical Photocatalytic activity Nabi et al. (2020)
2020 TiO2 Mentha arvensis 20–70 Spherical Antimicrobial Ahmad et al. (2020)

13
368 Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

Table 1  (continued)
Year Nanoparticle Plant origin Size (nm) Morphology Application References

2020 TiO2 Alcea and Thyme extract 10 Polyhedron and irregular Photocatalytic activity Arabi et al. (2020)
2020 TiO2 Syzygium cumini 11 Spherical Photocatalytic removal Sethy et al. (2020)
of lead
2020 TiO2 Ledebouria revoluta 47 Tetragonal Histopathological, larvi- Aswini et al. (2020)
cidal, antibacterial, and
anticancer activity

Fig. 14  Applications of green

synthesized nanoparticles in
environmental and biomedical
fields

blue absorbance value with time (Das and Velusamy 2014). ­TiO2 nanoparticles derived by Hibiscus rosa sinensis exhib-
The same dye was reduced by photocatalytic activity of Au ited excellent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-
nanoparticles extracted by the leaf of Pogestemon bengha- positive and Gram-negative strains of bacteria (Kumar et al.
lensis. These nanoparticles were free from agglomeration, 2014). Similarly, ­TiO2 nanoparticles are widely applicable
synthesized without any external reducing agent (Paul in the degradation of various pollutants such as nitroarene
et al. 2015). Congo red and reactive yellow 179 dyes were compounds and toxic dyes. Their large surface area, recy-
decolored by photocatalytic activity using gold nanoparticles clability is a key feature to make it a heterogeneous catalyst.
synthesized by using Eucommia ulmoides (Guo et al. 2015). The reduction of dyes and pollutants by ­TiO2 nanoparticles
Silver nanoparticles have drawn considerable attention have been reported by various authors. Figure 15 represents
from researchers and scientists due to their wide area of the photocatalytic mechanism and electron flow by photo-
applications like biolabeling, sensors, antimicrobial activity, excitation which results in the degradation of various dyes
antibacterial activity, cell electrodes, integrated circuits, etc. and pollutants. ­TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by green
Due to showing antimicrobial activity, these are applicable route were also applied to testify for removal of chromium
in numerous fields such as medicine, health, packaging, ani- (Cr) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from secondary
mal husbandry, various industries, military, cosmetics, and treated tannery wastewater. About 76.48% removal of Cr and
accessories. Against infectious organisms such as Staphy- 82.86% removal of COD from tannery wastewater (TWW)
lococcus Aureu, Vibria cholera, Bacillus subtilis, Syphillis were attained on Parabolic Trough Reactor with the treat-
typhus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, ment using green synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles (Goutam
these nanoparticles showed potential antimicrobial effects. et al. 2018).
The green synthesized ­TiO2 nanoparticles have a broad Nanoparticles of palladium and platinum are widely used
area of applications such as tissue engineering, sensing, in many medical diagnoses without destructing the deoxy-
imaging, disease diagnostics, manufacturing of surgical ribose nucleic acid (DNA) structure, Fig. 16 (Thakkar et al.
tools, treatment, agriculture, and energy production, etc. 2010). Some Pd nanoparticles were useful in photocatalytic

13
Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374 369

Fig. 15  Photocatalytic mecha-

nism of ­TiO2 nanoparticles and
electron flow by photoexcitation
under light source resulting in
degradation of various dyes
and pollutants. Reprinted from
Nadeem et al. (2018) with per-
mission from Taylor & Francis

Fig. 16  Applications of pal-

ladium and platinum nanopar-
ticles in chemistry, biology,
and material science fields.
Reprinted from Siddiqi and
Husen (2016) with permission
from Springer

and concluded the optimum pH range for phenol red dye

degradation by Pd nanoparticles (Kalaiselvi et al. 2015).
Palladium nanoparticles were derived by Hippophae
rhamnoides Linn leaf extract have been studied in
Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction for heterogeneous
catalytic activity. In the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reac-
tion, Pd nanoparticles work as a catalyst. The recycling
of catalyst decreases the process cost, and it was easily
separated from the reaction mixture by centrifugation after
completion of the reaction. The recovered catalyst was
efficaciously used without noteworthy activity loss for four
Fig. 17  Reusability of Pd nanoparticles in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling fresh runs, Fig. 17. The leaching phenomena were studied
reaction and the percentage of yield of the catalyst after every run. for heterogenicity of the catalyst by inductively coupled
Reprinted from (Nasrollahzadeh et al. 2015b) with permission from plasma atomic emission spectroscopy analysis. During the
Elsevier)
reaction, the total amount of 0.2% palladium vanished only
(Nasrollahzadeh et al. 2015b).
activity for phenol red dye degradation at pH 6. The dye Some Pd nanoparticles revealed outstanding antioxi-
degradation studies were performed on various pH ranging dant properties at a lesser dose of nanoparticle, as well
from 2 to 10 of various aliquots of palladium nanoparticle as these nanoparticles, worked as nanocatalyst for envi-
solutions. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectros- ronmental remediation by showing catalytic activity in
copy revealed the disappearance of 433 nm band at pH 6 the reduction of dyes such as methyl orange, methylene

13
370 Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

blue, coomassie brilliant blue G-250, and reduction of Acknowledgements The authors are thankful to the Elsevier, Springer,
4-nitrophenol (Kora and Rastogi 2018). Platinum nano- and Taylor & Francis for copyright permission.
particles were used for evaluation of anticancer activities
using four various cancer cells such as hepatocellular Compliance with ethical standards
carcinoma (HePG-2), breast cells (MCF-7), and colon
Conflict of interest There is no conflict of interest.
carcinoma cells (HCT-116), and promising results were
obtained with Ajwa extract. Likewise, Barni extract
effects were obtained on hepatocellular carcinoma cells
(HepG-2) and also inhibited the cells of breast cancer
References
cells (MCF-7) and colon cancer (HCT) to a notewor- Abisharani JM, Devikala S, Dinesh Kumar R, et al (2019) Green syn-
thy range. In this study, well-known anticancer agent, thesis of ­TiO2 nanoparticles using Cucurbita pepo seeds extract.
doxorubicin HCl, was used for comparative study. These In: Materials today: proceedings
platinum nanoparticles inhibited the growth of Gram- Agarwal H, Venkat Kumar S, Rajeshkumar S (2017) A review on green
synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles—an eco-friendly approach.
positive bacteria Bacillis subtilis (RCMB 010067) and Resource-Effic Technol 3:406–413. https:​ //doi.org/10.1016/j.reffi​
Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (RCMB 010052) t.2017.03.002
(Al-Radadi 2019). Ahmad W, Jaiswal KK, Soni S (2020) Green synthesis of titanium
dioxide ­(TiO2) nanoparticles by using Mentha arvensis leaves
extract and its antimicrobial properties. Inorg Nano-Met Chem.
https​://doi.org/10.1080/24701​556.2020.17324​19
Conclusion Ahmed S, Ahmad M, Swami BL, Ikram S (2016a) A review on plants
extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimi-
During the last some decades, increasing demand for green crobial applications: a green expertise. J Adv Res 7:17–28.
https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
chemistry and nanotechnology pushes toward the adoption Ahmed S, Annu, Ikram S, Yudha S (2016b) Biosynthesis of gold
of green synthetic routes for the synthesis of nanomateri- nanoparticles: a green approach. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol
als via plants, microorganisms, and others. Green synthe- 161:141–153
sis of nanoparticles has been the area of focused research Ahmed S, Saifullah Ahmad M et al (2016c) Green synthesis of silver
nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica aqueous leaf extract. J
by researchers in the last years by adopting an eco-friendly Radiat Res Appl Sci 9:1–7
approach. Much research has been carried out on the plant Akhter G, Khan A, Ali SG et al (2020) Antibacterial and nematicidal
extract-mediated nanoparticles synthesis and their potential properties of biosynthesized Cu nanoparticles using extract
applications in various fields due to their cost-effectiveness, of holoparasitic plant. SN Appl Sci. https​://doi.org/10.1007/
s4245​2-020-3068-6
nontoxic route, easy availability, and environment-friendly Al Ansari MS (2012) A review of optimal designs in relation to sup-
nature. Moreover, they have a wide area of applications ply chains and sustainable chemical processes. Modern Appl
such as catalysis, medicine, water treatment, dye degrada- Sci 6:74
tion, textile engineering, bioengineering sciences, sensors, Ali S, Perveen S, Ali M et al (2020) Bioinspired morphology-con-
trolled silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial application. Mater
imaging, biotechnology, electronics, optics, and other bio- Sci Eng C. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2019.11042​1
medical fields. Additionally, plants contain some unique Al-Radadi NS (2019) Green synthesis of platinum nanoparticles
compounds which help in synthesis as well as increases the using Saudi’s Dates extract and their usage on the cancer cell
rate of synthesis. The use of plants for green synthesis of treatment. Arab J Chem 12:330–349. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.
arabj​c.2018.05.008
nanoparticles is an exciting and developing part of nano- Al-Radadi NS, Adam SIY (2020) Green biosynthesis of Pt-nanopar-
technology and has a noteworthy effect on the environment ticles from Anbara fruits: toxic and protective effects on CCl4
toward sustainability and further development in the field of induced hepatotoxicity in Wister rats. Arab J Chem 13:4386–
nanoscience. The future expectations from the green route 4403. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabj​c.2019.08.008
Ambika S, Sundrarajan M (2015) Antibacterial behaviour of Vitex
of nanoparticles synthesis are that the applications of these negundo extract assisted ZnO nanoparticles against pathogenic
will grow exponentially, but there is a need to concern about bacteria. J Photochem Photobiol B 146:52–57
the long-term effects of these on animal and human being Anastas P, Eghbali N (2010) Green chemistry: principles and prac-
as well as accumulation of these in the environment is a tice. Chem Soc Rev 39:301–312
Ankamwar B (2010) Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (green-gold)
subject of worry which has to be resolved in future. These using leaf extract of Terminalia Catappa. E-J Chem. https​://doi.
biogenic nanoparticles can be used in nanoweapons against org/10.1155/2010/74512​0
phytopathogens as well as in the disinfection of water in Arabi N, Kianvash A, Hajalilou A et al (2020) A facile and green
various forms for environmental remediation. In the drug synthetic approach toward fabrication of Alcea- and Thyme-
stabilized ­TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic applications.
delivery system, these nanoparticles might be the future Arab J Chem 13:2132–2141. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabj​
thrust for the biomedical field. c.2018.03.014
Arockiya Aarthi Rajathi F, Arumugam R, Saravanan S, Ananthara-
man P (2014) Phytofabrication of gold nanoparticles assisted

13
Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374 371

by leaves of Suaeda monoica and its free radical scaveng- Chandran SP, Chaudhary M, Pasricha R et al (2006b) Synthesis of
ing property. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol. https​: //doi. gold nanotriangles and silver nanoparticles using Aloevera plant
org/10.1016/j.jphot​obiol​.2014.03.016 extract. Biotechnol Prog 22:577–583
Arsiya F, Sayadi MH, Sobhani S (2017) Green synthesis of pal- Chaudhari PR, Masurkar SA, Shidore VB, Kamble SP (2012) Biosyn-
ladium nanoparticles using Chlorella vulgaris. Mater Lett thesis of silver nanoparticles using Saccharum officinarum and
186:113–115 its antimicrobial activity. Micro Nano Lett 7:646–650
Aswini R, Murugesan S, Kannan K (2020) Bio-engineered T ­ iO2 nan- Cheirmadurai K, Biswas S, Murali R, Thanikaivelan P (2014) Green
oparticles using Ledebouria revoluta extract: larvicidal, histo- synthesis of copper nanoparticles and conducting nanobiocom-
pathological, antibacterial and anticancer activity. Int J Environ posites using plant and animal sources. RSC Adv. https​://doi.
Anal Chem. https​://doi.org/10.1080/03067​319.2020.17186​68 org/10.1039/c4ra0​1414f​
Auld DS (2001) Zinc coordination sphere in biochemical Clark JH, Macquarrie DJ (2008) Handbook of green chemistry and
zinc sites. In: Maret W (ed) Zinc biochemistry, physiol- technology. Wiley, Hoboken
ogy, and homeostasis. Springer, Dordrecht. https ​ : //doi. Crowl DA, Louvar JF (2001) Chemical process safety: fundamentals
org/10.1007/978-94-017-3728-9_6 with applications. Pearson Education, London
Aygun A, Gülbagca F, Ozer LY et al (2020) Biogenic platinum nano- Dar P, Waqas U, Hina A, et al (2016) Biogenic synthesis, characteriza-
particles using black cumin seed and their potential usage as tion of silver nanoparticles using Multani mitti (Fullers Earth),
antimicrobial and anticancer agent. J Pharm Biomed Anal. https​ Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seeds, Rice Husk (Oryza sativa)
://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2019.11296​1 and evaluation of their potential antimicrobial activity. J Chem
Aygün A, Özdemir S, Gülcan M et al (2020) Synthesis and char- Soc Pak 38:665
acterization of Reishi mushroom-mediated green synthesis Das J, Velusamy P (2014) Catalytic reduction of methylene blue using
of silver nanoparticles for the biochemical applications. J biogenic gold nanoparticles from Sesbania grandiflora L. J Tai-
Pharm Biomed Anal 178:112970. https​: //doi.org/10.1016/j. wan Inst Chem Eng. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice​.2014.04.005
jpba.2019.11297​0 Doan V-D, Thieu AT, Nguyen T-D et al (2020) Biosynthesis of gold
Bakand S, Hayes A, Dechsakulthorn F (2012) Nanoparticles: a review nanoparticles using Litsea cubeba fruit extract for catalytic
of particle toxicology following inhalation exposure. Inhalation reduction of 4-Nitrophenol. J Nanomater 2020:4548790. https​
Toxicol 24:125–135 ://doi.org/10.1155/2020/45487​90
Balantrapu K, Goia DV (2009) Silver nanoparticles for printable elec- Du L, Xian L, Feng J-X (2011) Rapid extra-/intracellular biosynthesis
tronics and biological applications. J Mater Res 24:2828–2836 of gold nanoparticles by the fungus Penicillium sp. J Nanopart
Banasiuk R, Krychowiak M, Swigon D et al (2020) Carnivorous Res 13:921–930
plants used for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with Duan H, Wang D, Li Y (2015) Green chemistry for nanoparticle syn-
broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Arab J Chem. https​://doi. thesis. Chem Soc Rev 44:5778–5792
org/10.1016/j.arabj​c.2017.11.013 Dubchak S, Ogar A, Mietelski JW, Turnau K (2010) Influence of silver
Bar H, Bhui DK, Sahoo GP et al (2009) Green synthesis of silver and titanium nanoparticles on arbuscular mycorrhiza coloniza-
nanoparticles using seed extract of Jatropha curcas. Colloids Sur- tion and accumulation of radiocaesium in Helianthus annuus.
faces A Physicochem Eng Asp. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsu​ Span J Agric Res 1:103–108
rfa.2009.07.021 Dubey M, Bhadauria S, Kushwah BS (2009) Green synthesis of
Bayrami A, Haghgooie S, Rahim Pouran S et al (2020) Synergistic anti- nanosilver particles from extract of Eucalyptus hybrida (safeda)
diabetic activity of ZnO nanoparticles encompassed by Urtica leaf. Dig J Nanomater Biostruct 4:537–543
dioica extract. Adv Powder Technol 31:2110–2118. https​://doi. Dvir T, Timko BP, Kohane DS, Langer R (2011) Nanotechnological
org/10.1016/j.apt.2020.03.004 strategies for engineering complex tissues. Nat Nanotechnol 6:13
Bergmann CP, de Andrade MJ (2011) Nanostructured materials for El-Sayed IH, Huang X, El-Sayed MA (2005) Surface plasmon reso-
engineering applications. Springer, Berlin nance scattering and absorption of anti-EGFR antibody conju-
Bhagat DS, Gurnule WB, Pande SG, et al (2020) Biosynthesis of gold gated gold nanoparticles in cancer diagnostics: applications in
nanoparticles for detection of dichlorvos residue from different oral cancer. Nano Lett 5:829–834
samples. In: Materials today: proceedings Fernando SID, Judan Cruz KG (2020) Ethnobotanical biosynthesis of
Bhuyan T, Mishra K, Khanuja M et al (2015) Biosynthesis of zinc gold nanoparticles and its downregulation of Quorum sensing-
oxide nanoparticles from Azadirachta indica for antibacterial linked AhyR gene in Aeromonas hydrophila. SN Appl Sci. https​
and photocatalytic applications. Mater Sci Semicond Process ://doi.org/10.1007/s4245​2-020-2368-1
32:55–61 Frey NA, Peng S, Cheng K, Sun S (2009) Magnetic nanoparticles:
Boomi P, Poorani GP, Selvam S et al (2020) Green biosynthesis of synthesis, functionalization, and applications in bioimaging and
gold nanoparticles using Croton sparsiflorus leaves extract and magnetic energy storage. Chem Soc Rev 38:2532–2542
evaluation of UV protection, antibacterial and anticancer applica- Ghosh P, Han G, De M et al (2008) Gold nanoparticles in delivery
tions. Appl Organomet Chem. https​://doi.org/10.1002/aoc.5574 applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 60:1307–1315
Carolin CF, Kumar PS, Saravanan A et al (2017) Efficient techniques Ghosh NS, Pandey E, Giilhotra RM, Singh R (2020) Biosynthesis
for the removal of toxic heavy metals from aquatic environment: of gold nanoparticles using leaf extract of Desmodium gange-
a review. J Environ Chem Eng 5:2782–2799 ticum and their antioxidant activity. Res J Pharm Technol
Centi G, Perathonar S (2009) From green to sustainable industrial 13:2685–2689
chemistry. In: Cavani F, Centi G, Perathoner S, Trifiró F (eds) Goutam SP, Saxena G, Singh V et al (2018) Green synthesis of T ­ iO2
Sustainable industrial chemistry. https​://doi.org/10.1002/97835​ nanoparticles using leaf extract of Jatropha curcas L. for photo-
27629​114.ch1 catalytic degradation of tannery wastewater. Chem Eng J. https​
Chandra C, Khan F (2020) Nano-scale zerovalent copper: green synthe- ://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.12.029
sis, characterization and efficient removal of uranium. J Radio- Guo M, Li W, Yang F, Liu H (2015) Controllable biosynthesis of gold
anal Nucl Chem. https​://doi.org/10.1007/s1096​7-020-07080​-1 nanoparticles from a Eucommia ulmoides bark aqueous extract.
Chandran SP, Chaudhary M, Pasricha R et al (2006a) Synthesis of Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. https​://doi.
gold nanotriangles and silver nanoparticles using Aloe vera plant org/10.1016/j.saa.2015.01.109
extract. Biotechnol Prog. https​://doi.org/10.1021/bp050​1423

13
372 Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

Huang X, El-Sayed MA (2010) Gold nanoparticles: optical proper- analysis of antibacterial activity. J Environ Nanotechnol. https​
ties and implementations in cancer diagnosis and photothermal ://doi.org/10.13074​/jent.2014.09.14309​8
therapy. J Adv Res 1:13–28 Kumar PV, Kala SMJ, Prakash KS (2019) Green synthesis of gold
Huang J, Lin L, Li Q et al (2008) Continuous-flow biosynthesis of nanoparticles using Croton Caudatus Geisel leaf extract and their
silver nanoparticles by lixivium of sundried Cinnamomum biological studies. Mater Lett 236:19–22
camphora leaf in tubular microreactors. Ind Eng Chem Res Kumar CRR, Betageri VS, Nagaraju G et al (2020) One-pot synthesis
47:6081–6090 of ZnO nanoparticles for nitrite sensing, photocatalytic and anti-
Hulkoti NI, Taranath TC (2014) Biosynthesis of nanoparticles using bacterial studies. J Inorg Organometall Polym Mater. https​://doi.
microbes—a review. Colloids Surfaces B Biointerfaces 121:474– org/10.1007/s1090​4-020-01544​-3
483. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsu​rfb.2014.05.027 Lateef A, Ojo SA, Elegbede JA (2016) The emerging roles of arthro-
Iravani S (2011) Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plants. pods and their metabolites in the green synthesis of metallic
Green Chem 13:2638–2650. https​://doi.org/10.1039/C1GC1​ nanoparticles. Nanotechnol Rev 5:601–622
5386B​ Lebaschi S, Hekmati M, Veisi H (2017) Green synthesis of palladium
Islam NU, Jalil K, Shahid M et al (2019) Green synthesis and bio- nanoparticles mediated by black tea leaves (Camellia sinensis)
logical activities of gold nanoparticles functionalized with Salix extract: catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and
alba. Arab J Chem. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabj​c.2015.06.025 Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction under ligand-free conditions.
Jain PK, Lee KS, El-Sayed IH, El-Sayed MA (2006) Calculated absorp- J Colloid Interface Sci. https:​ //doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2016.09.027
tion and scattering properties of gold nanoparticles of different Lee SH, Salunke BK, Kim BS (2014) Sucrose density gradient centrif-
size, shape, and composition: applications in biological imaging ugation separation of gold and silver nanoparticles synthesized
and biomedicine. J Phys Chem B. https​://doi.org/10.1021/jp057​ using Magnolia kobus plant leaf extracts. Biotechnol Bioprocess
170o Eng 19:169–174
Jameel MS, Aziz AA, Dheyab MA (2020) Comparative analysis of Li S, Shen Y, Xie A et al (2007) Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles
platinum nanoparticles synthesized using sonochemical-assisted using Capsicum annuum L. extract. Green Chem 9:852–858
and conventional green methods. Nano-Struct Nano-Objects Louis C, Pluchery O (2012) Gold nanoparticles for physics, chemistry
23:100484. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanos​o.2020.10048​4 and biology. World Scientific, Singapore
Jeong S, Choi SY, Park J et al (2011) Low-toxicity chitosan gold nano- Lukman AI, Gong B, Marjo CE et al (2011) Facile synthesis, stabiliza-
particles for small hairpin RNA delivery in human lung adeno- tion, and anti-bacterial performance of discrete Ag nanoparticles
carcinoma cells. J Mater Chem 21:13853–13859 using Medicago sativa seed exudates. J Colloid Interface Sci
Jeyarani S, Vinita NM, Puja P et al (2020) Biomimetic gold nano- 353:433–444
particles for its cytotoxicity and biocompatibility evidenced by Manjare SB, Chaudhari RA (2020) Palladium nanoparticle-bentonite
fluorescence-based assays in cancer (MDA-MB-231) and non- hybrid using leaves of syzygium aqueum plant from India: design
cancerous (HEK-293) cells. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol. https​ and assessment in the catalysis of –C–C– coupling reaction.
://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphot​obiol​.2019.11171​5 Chemistry Africa. https​://doi.org/10.1007/s4225​0-020-00139​-2
Kalaiselvi A, Roopan SM, Madhumitha G et al (2015) Synthesis and Mansoori GA (2005) Principles of nanotechnology: molecular-based
characterization of palladium nanoparticles using Catharanthus study of condensed matter in small systems. World Scientific,
roseus leaf extract and its application in the photo-catalytic deg- Singapore
radation. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. https​ Marimuthu S, Rahuman AA, Jayaseelan C et al (2013) Acaricidal
://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2014.07.010 activity of synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles using
Karimi J, Mohsenzadeh S (2015) Rapid, green, and eco-friendly bio- Calotropis gigantea against Rhipicephalus microplus and
synthesis of copper nanoparticles using flower extract of Aloe Haemaphysalis bispinosa. Asian Pac J Trop Med. https​://doi.
vera. Synth React Inorg Met-Org Nano-Met Chem. https​://doi. org/10.1016/S1995​-7645(13)60118​-2
org/10.1080/15533​174.2013.86264​4 Mehdizadeh T, Zamani A, Abtahi Froushani SM (2020) Preparation
Kazlagić A, Abud OA, Ćibo M et al (2020) Green synthesis of silver of Cu nanoparticles fixed on cellulosic walnut shell material
nanoparticles using apple extract and its antimicrobial proper- and investigation of its antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer
ties. Health Technol 10:147–150. https​://doi.org/10.1007/s1255​ effects. Heliyon. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliy​on.2020.e0352​8
3-019-00378​-5 Mohanpuria P, Rana NK, Yadav SK (2008) Biosynthesis of nanoparti-
Keijok WJ, Pereira RHA, Alvarez LAC et al (2019) Controlled biosyn- cles: technological concepts and future applications. J Nanopart
thesis of gold nanoparticles with Coffea arabica using factorial Res 10:507–517
design. Sci Rep. https​://doi.org/10.1038/s4159​8-019-52496​-9 Murthy HCA, Desalegn T, Kassa M et al (2020) Synthesis of green
Keshari AK, Srivastava R, Singh P et al (2020) Antioxidant and anti- copper nanoparticles using medicinal plant Hagenia abyssinica
bacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Ces- (Brace) JF. Gmel. Leaf extract: antimicrobial properties. J Nano-
trum nocturnum. J Ayurveda Integr Med 1:37–44. https​://doi. mater. https​://doi.org/10.1155/2020/39240​81
org/10.1016/j.jaim.2017.11.003 Nabi G, Ain Q-U, Tahir MB et al (2020) Green synthesis of T ­ iO2
Kharey P, Dutta SB, Gorey A et al (2020) Pimenta dioica mediated nanoparticles using lemon peel extract: their optical and pho-
biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles and evaluation of its potential tocatalytic properties. Int J Environ Anal Chem. https​://doi.
for theranostic applications. ChemistrySelect 5:7901–7908. https​ org/10.1080/03067​319.2020.17228​16
://doi.org/10.1002/slct.20200​1230 Nadaf NY, Kanase SS (2019) Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by
Kora AJ, Rastogi L (2018) Green synthesis of palladium nanoparticles Bacillus marisflavi and its potential in catalytic dye degradation.
using gum ghatti (Anogeissus latifolia) and its application as an Arab J Chem. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabj​c.2016.09.020
antioxidant and catalyst. Arab J Chem. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j. Nadeem M, Tungmunnithum D, Hano C et al (2018) The current
arabj​c.2015.06.024 trends in the green syntheses of titanium oxide nanoparticles
Kumar KM, Mandal BK, Tammina SK (2013) Green synthesis of nano and their applications. Green Chem Lett and Rev. https​://doi.
platinum using naturally occurring polyphenols. RSC Adv. https​ org/10.1080/17518​253.2018.15381​18430​
://doi.org/10.1039/c3ra2​2959a​ Naghdi S, Sajjadi M, Nasrollahzadeh M et al (2018) Cuscuta refl-
Kumar PSM, Francis AP, Devasena T (2014) Biosynthesized and exa leaf extract mediated green synthesis of the Cu nanopar-
chemically synthesized titania nanoparticles comparative ticles on graphene oxide/manganese dioxide nanocomposite

13
Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374 373

and its catalytic activity toward reduction of nitroarenes and J Tradit Complement Altern Med. https​://doi.org/10.4314/ajtca​
organic dyes. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 86:158–173. https​://doi. m.v7i2.50864​
org/10.1016/j.jtice​.2017.12.017 Rajkumar T, Sapi A, Das G et al (2019) Biosynthesis of silver nano-
Narasaiah BP, Mandal BK (2020) Remediation of azo-dyes based particle using extract of Zea mays (corn flour) and investigation
toxicity by agro-waste cotton boll peels mediated palladium of its cytotoxicity effect and radical scavenging potential. J Pho-
nanoparticles. J Saudi Chem Soc 24:267–281. https​: //doi. tochem Photobiol B Biol 193:1–7
org/10.1016/j.jscs.2019.11.003 Ray PC (2010) Size and shape dependent second order nonlinear opti-
Narayanan KB, Sakthivel N (2008) Coriander leaf mediated biosynthe- cal properties of nanomaterials and their application in biological
sis of gold nanoparticles. Mater Lett. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j. and chemical sensing. Chem Rev 110:5332–5365
matle​t.2008.08.044 Razavi M, Salahinejad E, Fahmy M et al (2015) Green chemical
Narayanan KB, Sakthivel N (2011) Green synthesis of biogenic metal and biological synthesis of nanoparticles and their biomedical
nanoparticles by terrestrial and aquatic phototrophic and hetero- applications. In: Basiuk V, Basiuk E (eds) Green processes for
trophic eukaryotes and biocompatible agents. Adv Colloid Inter- nanotechnology. Springer, Cham. https​://doi.org/10.1007/978-
face Sci 169:59–79. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2011.08.004 3-319-15461​-9_7
Nasrollahzadeh M, Maham M, Rostami-Vartooni A et al (2015a) Bar- Robert KW, Parris TM, Leiserowitz AA (2005) What is sustainable
berry fruit extract assisted in situ green synthesis of Cu nanopar- development? Goals, indicators, values, and practice. Environ
ticles supported on a reduced graphene oxide-Fe3O4 nanocom- Sci Policy Sustain Dev 47:8–21
posite as a magnetically separable and reusable catalyst for the Roopan SM, Bharathi A, Prabhakarn A et al (2012) Efficient phyto-
O-arylation of phenols with aryl halides under ligand-free cond. synthesis and structural characterization of rutile T ­ iO2 nano-
RSC Adv. https​://doi.org/10.1039/c5ra1​0037b​ particles using Annona squamosa peel extract. Spectrochim
Nasrollahzadeh M, Sajadi SM, Maham M (2015b) Green synthesis Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.
of palladium nanoparticles using Hippophae rhamnoides Linn saa.2012.08.055
leaf extract and their catalytic activity for the Suzuki-Miyaura Santhoshkumar T, Rahuman AA, Rajakumar G et al (2011) Synthesis
coupling in water. J Mol Catal A Chem. https:​ //doi.org/10.1016/j. of silver nanoparticles using Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract and its
molca​ta.2014.10.019 larvicidal activity against malaria and filariasis vectors. Parasitol
Nath D, Banerjee P (2013) Green nanotechnology—a new hope for Res. https​://doi.org/10.1007/s0043​6-010-2115-4
medical biology. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 36:997–1014. https​ Sastry ABS, Karthik Aamanchi RB, Sree Rama Linga Prasad C,
://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2013.09.002 Murty BS (2013) Large-scale green synthesis of Cu nanopar-
Nelson D, Priscyla DM, Oswaldo LA et al (2005) Mechanical aspects ticles. Environm Chem Lett. https​: //doi.org/10.1007/s1031​
of biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by several Fusarium 1-012-0395-x
oxysporum strains. J Nanobiotechnol 3:8 Sathishkumar M, Sneha K, Won SW et al (2009) Cinnamon zey-
Odeniyi MA, Okumah VC, Adebayo-Tayo BC, Odeniyi OA (2020) lanicum bark extract and powder mediated green synthesis of
Green synthesis and cream formulations of silver nanoparticles nano-crystalline silver particles and its bactericidal activity.
of Nauclea latifolia (African peach) fruit extracts and evaluation Colloids Surfaces B Biointerfaces. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.
of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Sustain Chem Pharm. colsu​r fb.2009.06.005
https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2019.10019​7 Selvarajan E, Mohanasrinivasan V (2013) Biosynthesis and charac-
Omer AM (2008) Energy, environment and sustainable development. terization of ZnO nanoparticles using Lactobacillus plantarum
Renew Sustain Energy Rev 12:2265–2300 VITES07. Mater Lett 112:180–182. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.
Ovais M, Khalil AT, Islam NU et al (2018) Role of plant phytochemi- matle​t.2013.09.020
cals and microbial enzymes in biosynthesis of metallic nanopar- Selvi AM, Palanisamy S, Jeyanthi S et al (2020) Synthesis of Tragia
ticles. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 102:6799–6814 involucrata mediated platinum nanoparticles for comprehensive
Pal G, Rai P, Pandey A (2019) Chapter 1—Green synthesis of nano- therapeutic applications: antioxidant, antibacterial and mitochon-
particles: a greener approach for a cleaner future. In: Shukla AK, dria-associated apoptosis in HeLa cells. Process Biochem. https​
Iravani (eds) Characterization and applications of nanoparticles ://doi.org/10.1016/j.procb​io.2020.07.008
SBT-GS micro and nano technologies. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp Sethy NK, Arif Z, Mishra PK, Kumar P (2020) Green synthesis of ­TiO2
1–26 nanoparticles from Syzygium cumini extract for photo-catalytic
Paul B, Bhuyan B, Dhar Purkayastha D et al (2015) Green synthesis of removal of lead (Pb) in explosive industrial wastewater. Green
gold nanoparticles using Pogestemon benghalensis (B) O. Ktz. Process Synth. https​://doi.org/10.1515/gps-2020-0018
leaf extract and studies of their photocatalytic activity in degra- Shahid M, Dumat C, Khalid S et al (2017) Foliar heavy metal uptake,
dation of methylene blue. Mater Lett. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j. toxicity and detoxification in plants: a comparison of foliar and
matle​t.2015.02.054 root metal uptake. J Hazardous Mater 325:36–58. https​://doi.
Philip D (2009) Biosynthesis of Au, Ag and Au–Ag nanoparticles org/10.1016/j.jhazm​at.2016.11.063
using edible mushroom extract. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Shankar SS, Ahmad A, Pasricha R, Sastry M (2003) Bioreduction of
Biomol Spectrosc. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2009.02.037 chloroaurate ions by geranium leaves and its endophytic fungus
Philip D (2010) Green synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles using yields gold nanoparticles of different shapes. J Mater Chem. https​
Hibiscus rosa sinensis. Phys E Low-Dimens Syst Nanostruct. ://doi.org/10.1039/b3038​08b
https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.physe​.2009.11.081 Shankar SS, Rai A, Ahmad A, Sastry M (2004) Rapid synthesis of Au,
Rabiee N, Bagherzadeh M, Kiani M, Ghadiri AM (2020) Rosmari- Ag, and bimetallic Au core-Ag shell nanoparticles using Neem
nus officinalis directed palladium nanoparticle synthesis: (Azadirachta indica) leaf broth. J Colloid Interface Sci. https​://
investigation of potential anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and Mizo- doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2004.03.003
roki–Heck catalytic activities. Adv Powder Technol. https​://doi. Sharma VK, Yngard RA, Lin Y (2009) Silver nanoparticles: green
org/10.1016/j.apt.2020.01.024 synthesis and their antimicrobial activities. Adv Colloid Interface
Rahmatullah M, Sultan S, Toma TT et al (2010) Effect of Cuscuta Sci 145:83–96
reflexa stem and Calotropis procera leaf extracts on glucose Sheik Mydeen S, Raj Kumar R, Kottaisamy M, Vasantha VS (2020)
tolerance in glucose-induced hyperglycemic rats and mice. Afr Biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles through extract from Prosopis
juliflora plant leaf: antibacterial activities and a new approach

13
374 Environmental Chemistry Letters (2021) 19:355–374

by rust-induced photocatalysis. J Saudi Chem Soc 24:393–406. Thakkar KN, Mhatre SS, Parikh RY (2010) Biological synthesis
https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.jscs.2020.03.003 of metallic nanoparticles. Nanomed Nanotechnol Biol Med
Sheny DS, Philip D, Mathew J (2012) Rapid green synthesis of palla- 6:257–262
dium nanoparticles using the dried leaf of Anacardium occiden- Tolaymat TM, El Badawy AM, Genaidy A et al (2010) An evidence-
tale. Spectrochimica Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. https​ based environmental perspective of manufactured silver nano-
://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2012.01.063 particle in syntheses and applications: a systematic review and
Siddiqi KS, Husen A (2016) Green synthesis, characterization and uses critical appraisal of peer-reviewed scientific papers. Sci Total
of palladium/platinum nanoparticles. Nanoscale Res Lett 11:482. Environ 408:999–1006
https​://doi.org/10.1186/s1167​1-016-1695-z Velayutham K, Rahuman AA, Rajakumar G et al (2012) Evaluation
Singh J, Dutta T, Kim K-H et al (2018) ‘Green’ synthesis of metals of Catharanthus roseus leaf extract-mediated biosynthesis of
and their oxide nanoparticles: applications for environmental titanium dioxide nanoparticles against Hippobosca maculata
remediation. J Nanobiotechnol 16:84 and Bovicola ovis. Parasitol Res. https​://doi.org/10.1007/s0043​
Singh T, Singh A, Wang W, et al (2019) Biosynthesized nanoparticles 6-011-2676-x
and its implications in agriculture. In: Biological synthesis of Velmurugan P, Shim J, Kim K, Oh BT (2016) Prunus × yedoensis tree
nanoparticles and their applications. CRC Press, pp 257–274. gum mediated synthesis of platinum nanoparticles with anti-
ISBN-13:978-0-367-21069-4 fungal activity against phytopathogens. Mater Lett. https​://doi.
Sivaranjani V, Philominathan P (2016) Synthesize of Titanium dioxide org/10.1016/j.matle​t.2016.03.069
nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaves and evaluation of Vijayakumar S, Arulmozhi P, Kumar N et al (2020) Acalypha fruti-
wound healing activity. Wound Med. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j. cosa L. leaf extract mediated synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles:
wndm.2015.11.002 characterization and antimicrobialactivities. Mater Today Proc
Song JY, Jang HK, Kim BS (2009) Biological synthesis of gold nano- 23:73–80. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr​.2019.06.660
particles using Magnolia kobus and Diopyros kaki leaf extracts. Vijikumar S, Ramanathan K, Devi BP (2011) Cuscuta reflexa ROXB.
Process Biochem. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.procb​io.2009.06.005 A wonderful miracle plant in ethnomedicine. Indian J Nat Sci
Song JY, Kwon EY, Kim BS (2010) Biological synthesis of platinum 976:997
nanoparticles using Diopyros kaki leaf extract. Bioprocess Bio- Wang Y, O’Connor D, Shen Z et al (2019) Green synthesis of nano-
syst Eng. https​://doi.org/10.1007/s0044​9-009-0373-2 particles for the remediation of contaminated waters and soils:
Soundarrajan C, Sankari A, Dhandapani P et al (2012) Rapid biological constituents, synthesizing methods, and influencing factors. J
synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using Ocimum sanctum for Clean Prod 226:540–549
water electrolysis applications. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. https​:// Wilson MP, Schwarzman MR (2009) Toward a new US chemicals
doi.org/10.1007/s0044​9-011-0666-0 policy: rebuilding the foundation to advance new science, green
Sperling RA, Gil PR, Zhang F et al (2008) Biological applications chemistry, and environmental health. Environ Health Perspect
of gold nanoparticles. Chem Soc Rev. https​://doi.org/10.1039/ 117:1202–1209
b7121​70a Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A (2020) Novel green synthesis of Hibis-
Stark WJ, Stoessel PR, Wohlleben W, Hafner A (2015) Industrial appli- cus sabdariffa flower extract conjugated gold nanoparticles with
cations of nanoparticles. Chem Soc Rev 44:5793–5805 excellent anti-acute myeloid leukemia effect in comparison to
Subbiah R, Veerapandian M, Yun SK (2010) Nanoparticles: function- daunorubicin in a leukemic rodent model. Appl Organomet
alization and multifunctional applications in biomedical sciences. Chem. https​://doi.org/10.1002/aoc.5271
Curr Med Chem 17:4559–4577 Zhang YX, Zheng J, Gao G et al (2011) Biosynthesis of gold nanopar-
Sundaram PA, Augustine R, Kannan M (2012) Extracellular biosynthe- ticles using chloroplasts. Int J Nanomed. https:​ //doi.org/10.2147/
sis of iron oxide nanoparticles by Bacillus subtilis strains isolated ijn.s2478​5
from rhizosphere soil. Biotechnol Bioprocess Eng 17:835–840
Tahir K, Nazir S, Li B et al (2015) Nerium oleander leaves extract Publisher’s Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to
mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles and its antioxidant jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
activity. Mater Lett. https:​ //doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet​ .2015.05.062
Tamuly C, Hazarika M, Bordoloi M (2013) Biosynthesis of Au nano-
particles by Gymnocladus assamicus and its catalytic activity.
Mater Lett. https​://doi.org/10.1016/j.matle​t.2013.07.020

13