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OBJECTIVES: The spread of infectious diseases and the increase in drug resistance among microbes has forced researchers to synthesize biologically active nanoparticles. Ecofriendly procedures for the synthesis of nanoparticles are improving day by day in the field of nanobiotechnology. In the present study we used extract of the green alga Botryococcus braunii for the synthesis of palladium and platinum nanoparticles and evaluated their antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Green alga was collected from Udaisagar Lake, Udaipur (Rajasthan, India) and isolated by serial dilution method and grown on Chu-13 nutrient medium. The characterization of alga synthesized palladium and platinum nanoparticles was carried out using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron spectroscopy. The zone of inhibition was measured by agar well plate method and minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by agar dilution assay for antimicrobial activity. The antioxidant activity of the nanoparticles was also studied by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method. RESULTS: Stable palladium and platinum nanoparticles were successfully produced using green alga. The XRD pattern revealed the crystalline nature and scanning electron micrographs showed the morphology of biogenically synthesized metal nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared measurements showed all functional groups having control over stabilization and reduction of the nanoparticles. The green synthesized nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains, antifungal activity against a fungus, and antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: The biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles can be a promising process for the production of other transition metal nanoparticles and new nanocatalysts will revolutionize the synthesis of organic heterocycles.