Review Paper:
Biogenic Nanoparticles
from Phytochemicals: A New Frontier in fighting Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilm
Formation
Ishika and Bharadvaja Navneeta
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(6); 182-199;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/206rjbt1820199; (2025)
Abstract
Biogenic manufacturing of nanoparticles is a highly efficient method that implements
naturally occurring, non-toxic herbs to counteract the shortcomings of traditional
physicochemical approaches. Plant synthesis of NPs is considered to be more beneficial
when compared with microbial synthesis due to its several benefits such as high
reliability, low imminent risk of contamination, inexpensive process and less time
consumption. Secondary metabolites or phytochemicals released by plants serve a
vital part during the biogenic synthesis of NPs. NPs possess a significant surface
area, allowing them to accommodate the agents that act as reducing, stabilizing
and capping agents, which prevent the aggregation of NPs. The increased risk of
the development of drug-resistant organisms could be due to the overuse and inappropriate
use of antimicrobials.
Once the microorganism develops drug resistance and the organism is pathogenic,
then it is very much difficult to eliminate the pathogen by the use of antimicrobial
agent. Plant-based nanoparticles have a novel application in treating the infection
caused by multi-drug-resistant microorganisms due to their antimicrobial efficacy.
It is estimated that biofilms are associated with approximately 65% of all human
bacterial infections and biofilms formed on medical devices such as catheter can
lead to persistent infections. Bacteria in biofilm are resistant to antibiotics
and disinfectants, thus another approach for eradication of biofilm is the utilization
of nanoparticles as an anti-biofilm agent on medical devices and prevention of the
infection development.
