A comprehensive review on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from marine sources

The primary purpose of this review is to explore the green synthesis of silver nanoparticle (AgNP) using natural biomolecules derived from marine sources. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of environmentally friendly approaches for synthesizing AgNPs and to examine their potential applications across various fields such as medicine, biotechnology, and environmental remediation. The key research question focuses on understanding how marine biomolecules, including polysaccharides, proteins, enzymes, amino acids, alkaloids, and vitamins, contribute to the formation of AgNPs and how these green-synthesized nanoparticles retain their functional properties. This review systematically examines current literature on the green synthesis of AgNPs, focusing on marine-derived biomolecules such as polysaccharides, proteins, and alkaloids. The methodology includes analyzing green synthesis techniques and comparing them with traditional chemical methods to highlight environmental benefits and overall efficiency. Various marine species, such as seagrass and seaweed, are explored as potent agents in the reduction of silver ions. The findings reveal that green synthesis of AgNPs using marine biomolecules is not only environmentally sustainable but also retains the desirable properties of the nanoparticles, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Additionally, the green-synthesized AgNPs show significant potential applications in mosquito control, wound healing, and anticancer therapies. Green synthesis of AgNPs using marine sources presents a viable and sustainable alternative to conventional chemical methods, significantly reducing the environmental impact of nanoparticle production while ensuring biocompatibility and functional integrity. This approach holds promise for diverse applications in biomedicine, environmental remediation, and beyond. Further research is recommended to address challenges in scaling up production and commercialization.