Biomimetic approach for multifarious synthesis of nanoparticles using metal tolerant fungi: A mechanistic perspective

In present study, fungi isolated from metal rich site were explored for metal tolerance capacity and potential of multifarious synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs). Total 9 different fungi were isolated from rhizospeheric soils and molecularly characterized. Penicillium janthinellum DJP06 showed maximum metal tolerance capacity and synthesized gold and silver NPs. Detailed characterization confirmed the synthesis of protein capped, crystalline natured, spherical shaped gold and silver NPs. Mechanistic studies suggested involvement of fungal secretome proteins in the NPs synthesis. To find out the active protein(s) responsible for multifarious synthesis of NPs, the dialyzed proteins were fractionated by chromatography technique. Individual protein fractions were separately checked for their ability to synthesize NPs. Results suggested involvement of multiple proteins in an interactive manner for NPs synthesis. Testing the ability of these proteins for multifarious synthesis of other commercially important NPs will be an exciting future possibility.