Enhancement of Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesis by Some Endophytic Fungi Using Radiation and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

Nanotechnology is referred to the ability for designing, characterization, production and application of different structures, devices and systems at the nanometer scale by controlling their shape and size. Developing different branches of nanotechnology confidently results in developing the related sciences, as it has a tremendous growth not only in synthesis of nanoscale materials (nanoparticles). But also, in modification and improvement of their properties (Mohanpuria et al., 2008). These nanoparticles have promising applications in several life spheres as health care, cosmetics, food and feed, environmental health, mechanics, optics, biomedical sciences, chemical industries, electronics, space industries, drug-gene delivery, energy science, optoelectronics, catalysis, reprography, single electron transistors, light emitters, nonlinear optical devices, and photoelectrochemical applications due to their unique physicochemical and optoelectronic properties. (Colvin et al., 1994; Wang and Herron, 1991; Hoffman et al., 1992; Mansur et al., 1995; Wang and Schmid 1992; Chen et al., 2018). Also, they are applied in diagnostics, biomarkers, cell labeling, contrast agents for biological imaging, antimicrobial agents, drug delivery systems and nano-drugs for treatment of various diseases (Le et al., 2011). Recently, there is a growing research on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which made them attractive in a wide range of applications such as optical, catalysis, biolabeling and anti-bacterials, based on their shape, size, dispersity and stability (Du et al., 2015). Several physical methods have been used for synthesizing and stabilizing AgNPs such as UV and gamma irradiation, aerosol technologies, lithography, laser ablation, ultrasonic fields, heating, and electrochemical reduction (Klaus-Joerger et al., 2001 ; Senapati 2005).