Silver nanoparticles: An integrated view of green synthesis methods, transformation in the environment, and toxicity.

Abstract Nowadays, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most widely used nanoparticles (NPs) in the industry due to their peculiar biocidal features. However, the use of these NPs still runs into limitations mainly because of the low efficiency of environmental friendly synthesis methods and lack of size standardization. When NPs are release in the environment, they can be transformed by oxidation, adsorption or aggregation. These modification shows a dual role in toxic response of AgNPs. The adsorption of natural organic matter from environment on AgNPs, for example, can decrease their toxicity. Otherwise oxidation occurred in the environment is also able to increase the release of toxic Ag⁺ from NPs. Thus, the current review proposes an integrated approach of AgNP synthetic methods using bacteria, fungi, and plants, AgNP cytotoxic and genotoxic effects as well as their potential therapeutic applications are also presented. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • The AgNPs cytotoxicity can be used for therapeutic applications. • AgNPs released into the environment may react with various compounds found in aquatic organic matter • There are environmental friendly AgNP synthetic methods using bacteria, fungi, and plants. • The improvement of green synthesis methods will allow a better modeling of the AgNPs physicochemical characteristics. • The development of efficient green synthetic methods will contribute to potentiate AgNPs therapeutic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]