ABSTRACT
This chapter describes metal nanoparticles in detail and their microbial synthesis. Biological synthesis of nanoparticles with controlled morphology can be an alternative to chemical reduction methods, and needs more attention, as this process can be carried by using microbes, plants, and their biomolecules. Synthesis of nanoparticles by microbial cells is an exciting approach, and the microbial cells are viewed as bio-factories for the preparation of a number of different types of nanoparticles. Biological synthesis of nanoparticles with controlled morphology can be an alternative to chemical reduction methods, and needs more attention, as this process can be carried by using microbes, plants, and their biomolecules. Microbes are classified into different categories based on their cellular composition and morphology, among them bacteria, and fungi, are extensively explored for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The various biomolecules (enzymes, proteins, peptides, amino acids, polysaccharides, and vitamins) present in microbes are involved in the synthesis, as well as the stabilization of the nanoparticles.
