Microalgae for Nanoparticles Biosynthesis

Nanoparticles(NPs) are widely used in electronic, cosmetic, biomedical, and biotechnological applications. The synthesis of nanoparticles from biological sources has recently developed as a green alternative to traditional chemical synthesis methods. Here, Lifeasible offers specialized solutions for the nanoparticles biosynthesis of microalgae.

Introduction

The synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is a major area of nanotechnology research due to the unusual size (length span in the range of 1-200 nm) and shape-related properties of nanoparticles and attractive applications in medicine, biofuel production, catalysis, electronics, and biotechnology. In addition to physical-chemical pathways, a variety of biological processes have been shown to efficiently biosynthesize a wide range of nanomaterials, such as oxides, sulfur compounds, and metal NPs. among the multiple green resources explored, microalgae offer outstanding advantages in terms of ease of growth and ability to survive extreme pH and temperature conditions, making them a low-cost, green platform for large-scale synthesis of nanoparticles.

Fig 1. The hypothetical mechanism of the biosynthesis of Au-NPs by living cultures of microalgae. (Dahoumane S A, et al., 2016)

Customized Solutions

The ability of algae to accumulate metal and reduced metal ions makes them a strong contender for nanoparticle biosynthesis, and they are biological nanofactories. Lifeasible offers comprehensive solutions for the biosynthesis of microalgal metal nanoparticles (Me-NPs) by using different groups of algae, such as Green algae, Brown algae, Cyanobacteria, Red algae, and others (diatoms and ophthalmics). We develop customized processes for the biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles using algae as the following.

(i) Algae extracts are heated or boiled in water or organic solutions for a specific period.

(ii)Preparation of molar solutions of ionic metal compounds.

(iii)Both algae and ionic metal compound solutions are incubated under controlled conditions for a specific period, either with or without regular stirring.

Our scientists have a keen interest in synthesizing nanoparticles using algae, developing a variety of microalgal nanotechnologies to accomplish nanoparticle synthesis in a precise and quantitative manner outside or inside the cell.

• Biosynthesis of Me-NPs using cell-free supernatants of microalgae
  We synthesized Ag-NPs from aqueous AgNO₃ solutions using cell-free supernatants of several cyanobacteria and green algae.
• Biosynthesis of Me-NPs using harvested whole cells of microalgae
  We performed the biosynthesis of Au-NPs, Ag-NPs, Pt-NPs, and Pd-NPs by collecting whole microalgae cells by centrifugation/ washing cycle before contacting with aqueous metal salts.
• Biosynthesis of Me-NPs using microalgal living cultures
  We synthesized NPs by adding aqueous solutions of the corresponding salts (Au, Ag, Pt, and Pd) directly to the cells maintained under usual culture conditions.
• Biosynthesis of oxide- and chalcogenide-based nanoparticles using microalgae
  CdS-NPs, β-HgS NPs, β-FeOOH NPs.

Our Unique Advantages

• Relatively convenient and easy to handle.
• Higher energy efficiency, lower toxicity, and risk to the environment.
• Superior quality in shape or size of crystals.
• Both live and dead microalgae biomass is used to synthesize metal nanoparticles.
• Relatively short time required to synthesize nanoparticles using algae.
• Absorption of silver and gold salts without preference, resulting in forming bimetallic alloy NPs of well-controlled composition.

Applications of Our Microalgae NPs

• Biomedical applications with antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and wound healing activities.
• Anti-biofilm agents.
• Anti-biofilm agents.
• Lipid nanoparticles.
• Biosensing.

At Lifeasible, we can quickly help you design and synthesize microalgae nanoparticles. We are your trusted partner in all aspects of microalgae research. If you are interested in our solutions for nanoparticle biosynthesis of microalgae, please do not hesitate to contact us.