Mycosynthesis of metal nanoparticles using oyster mushrooms, with special emphasis on their characterization and applications: a review

The oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) are highly valued as a food and have medicinal properties due to their nutritional and medicinal contents. The significance of the oyster mushroom stems from the quality, quantity, nutritional values, and size of the fruit bodies it produces. This also contains bioactive compounds used as natural precursors to reduce zinc ions to zinc atoms. Pleurotus ostreatus, P. Sajor-caju, and P. floride are the most commonly used fungi for biologically synthesizing various nanoparticles. Recently, metallic nanoparticles, especially ZnO NPs (Zinc Oxide nanoparticles), Ag NPs (Silver oxide nanoparticles), TiO2 NPs (Titanium oxide nanoparticles), etc., have been synthesized in mycosynthesis from various organic materials by fungi like Pleurotus sp. Generally, biologically synthesized nanoparticles are less expensive and have more biocompatibility than other nanoparticles. Several biological, chemical, and physical methods have been used to synthesize nanoparticles. The mycogenically synthesized nanoparticles were characterized to determine their properties, effectiveness, efficiency, and potential for vital use. The most common use of nanoparticles is in sunscreen because of their ability to absorb UV light effectively. It is also used in the cosmetics & pharmaceutical industries. Particles also demonstrated inhibitory effects against harmful pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Some nanoparticles, like Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), have been characterized as a Generally recognized as Safe (GRAS) compound by the US FDA and exhibit minimal toxicity to humans. Nanoparticles are effectively employed as an anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antioxidant agent. Researchers have investigated the mechanisms of action of enzymes involved in biochemical reactions and identified the bioactive compounds associated with nanoparticle acquisition. Our review focused on the production of nanoparticles by different species of oyster mushroom and their utility in fulfilling human needs.