Pleurotus Macrofungi-Assisted Nanoparticle Synthesis and Its Potential Applications: A Review

Research and innovation in nanoparticles (NPs) synthesis derived from biomaterials have gained much attention due to their unique characteristics, such as low-cost, easy synthesis methods, high water solubility, and eco-friendly nature. NPs derived from macrofungi, including various mushroom species, such as Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus spp., Lentinus spp., and Ganoderma spp. are well known to possess high nutritional, immune-modulatory, antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral), antioxidant, and anticancerous properties. Fungi have intracellular metal uptake ability and maximum wall binding capacity; because of which, they have high metal tolerance and bioaccumulation ability. Primarily, two methods have been comprehended in the literature to synthesize metal NPs from macrofungi, i.e., the intracellular method, which refers to NP synthesis inside fungal cells by transportation of ions in the presence of enzymes; and the extracellular method, which refers to the treatment of fungal biomolecules aqueous filtrate with a metal precursor. Pleurotus derived metal NPs are known to inhibit the growth of numerous foodborne pathogenic bacteria and fungi. To the best of our knowledge, there is no such review article reported in the literature describing the synthesis and complete application and mechanism of NPs derived from macrofungi. Herein, we intend to summarize the progressive research on macrofungi derived NPs regarding their synthesis as well as applications in the area of antimicrobial (antibacterial & antifungal), anticancer, antioxidant, catalytic and food preservation. Additionally, the challenges associated with NPs synthesis will also be discussed.