Table 1.
Utilization of NPs | Description | |
---|---|---|
Medical aspects | ||
Antimicrobial activity | NPs can perturb microbial membrane and inhibit microbial pathogens. | |
Antimicrobial drugs resistance | NPs can prevent or block the multidrug-resistance and biofilm formation. | |
Antiparasitic applications | NPs disturb cellular function, resulting in denaturation and structural malformation. | |
Anticancer applications | NPs induce cellular apoptosis, anti-proliferation, anti-metastasis, and cytotoxicity. | |
Antioxidant applications | Effects of NPs may be beneficial for the treatment of free radical-related physiological conditions. | |
Environmental aspects | ||
Clean-up of pollutant dyes | NPs have potential on degrading synthetic dyes, due to their high photocatalytic activity and large surface area. | |
Heavy metal ion sensing | Metal NPs can act as colorimetric sensor of heavy metal elements, due to the adjustable size and distance-dependent optical features. | |
Toxicant removal | Metal NPs have potential on degrading persistent contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides. | |
Agriculture aspects | ||
Detoxification of agrochemicals | NP-based filters are effective in detoxification of organic pollutants such as endosulfan, malathion and chlorpyrifos from water. | |
Control of plant disease | NPs have potential on controlling plant pathogens in a relatively safer manner compared to chemical fungicides. | |
Pesticides applications | NPs in pesticide formula refer as smart delivery system of water-soluble pesticide for its slow release. | |
Industrial aspects | ||
Catalytic activity | NPs enhance catalytic reaction rate by promoting the adsorption of reactants on their surface, thereby alleviating activation energy barriers. |
NPs, nanoparticles.