Nanotechnology is an emerging cutting-edge technology, which involves interdisciplinary subjects, such as physics, chemistry, biology, material science and medicine. Different methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles have been discussed here. Although physical and chemical methods have been successfully used to synthesize nanoparticles, the use of hazardous chemicals and synthesis at high temperature is a matter of concern. Hence, there is a necessity to develop eco-friendly techniques for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Biosynthesis of nanoparticles by fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, lichen and viruses have been reported eco-friendly. Moreover, the fungal system has emerged as an efficient system for nanoparticle synthesis as fungi possess distinctive characters including high wall binding capacity, easy to culture and simpler biomass handling, etc. In this review, we have discussed fungi as an important tool for the fabrication of nanoparticles. In addition, methods and mechanism for synthesis of nanoparticles and its potential applications have also been discussed.

Biological Chemistry Laboratory Instituto de Química Universidade Estadual de Campinas Campinas SP Brazil Centre of Natural and Human Science and Universidade Federal do ABC Santo Andre SP Brazil

Department of Biotechnology Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University Amravati Maharashtra 444 602 India

Department of Biotechnology Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University Amravati Maharashtra 444 602 India Biological Chemistry Laboratory Instituto de Química Universidade Estadual de Campinas Campinas SP Brazil

Department of Microbiology Virology and Immunology Kharkiv National Medical University Kharkiv Ukraine

Nanotechnology Centre VSB Technical University of Ostrava 17 Listopadu 15 2171 708 33 Ostrava Poruba Czech Republic