Probiotics as a Tool to Biosynthesize Metallic Nanoparticles: Research Reports and Patents Survey

Background: Probiotics are the live microbes that exert beneficial effects on the health of the host cell, creating novel nanoformulations via probiotic bacteria, thus gaining tremendous momentum recently. The probiotic bacteria are being employed in synthesizing or more specifically biosynthesizing several nanoparticles like metallic as well as non-metallic nanoparticles. Biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles is currently the focus of research nowadays due to several applications. Research inputs have led to the exploration of probiotic bacteria in biosynthesizing novel metallic nanoparticles. Objective: The present review explores various research and patent reports on metallic nanoparticles biosynthesized using probiotic bacteria. Method: Through the sites, www.freepatentsonline.com and www.uspto.gov/patft, patents have been retrieved including US patents, EP and WIPO patents. Results: Various reports and patents have revealed that probiotic bacteria can effectively produce metallic nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have found applications in cosmetics, pharmaceutics, medicine and biotechnology. Areas of future research can include the exploration of formulation aspects of metallic nanoparticles of iron, zinc, tellurium and synthesis of these particles using yeast, fungi, plant extracts and several biomaterials. Conclusion: Use of probiotic bacteria in synthesizing metallic nanoparticles is an effective biosynthetic approach. However, the technique needs wider exploration for newer metallic/nonmetallic/metalloid NPs for therapeutic applications.